A cloud hangs over Virginia’s farming industry this spring, but so far it has not been filled with the moisture the state’s growers need.
The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor issued April 23 showed the entire state in some level of drought. A high majority of Virginia counties are rated at Severe Drought, parts of eight counties are in Moderate Drought and parts of five counties are in Extreme Drought conditions.
“Drought can reduce the water availability and water quality necessary for productive farms, ranches, and grazing lands, resulting in significant negative direct and indirect economic impacts to the agricultural sector,” according to the National Integrated Drought Information System. “Monitoring agricultural drought typically focuses on examining levels of precipitation, evaporative demand, soil moisture, and surface/groundwater quantity and quality.”…