Rain welcome, but more is needed

May 28, 2009      The Leader-Telegram

Chris Vetter

May 28, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- CHIPPEWA FALLS -- The rain that soaked the Chippewa Valley on Tuesday and Wednesday was perfectly timed, said Jerry Clark, UW-Extension agriculture agent for Chippewa County.

"It's nice to see a slow, steady rain that soaks the soil and doesn't erode it," Clark said. "So this is an ideal rain for this time of year. Most farmers aren't complaining about it."

In the northern part of Chippewa County, farmers received about two-fifths of an inch of rain. Chippewa Valley Regional Airport received 1.33 inches from Tuesday through Wednesday evening, and the WQOW-TV (Channel 18) station received 1.76 inches, said meteorologist Doug Michaels.

Michaels said during the entire month of May, through Monday, the airport received 0.6 of an inch of rain, and the station received 0.9 of an inch.

Before the rain, Chippewa County was about 3 inches below average for the year and Eau Claire County about 4 1/2 inches below normal, leading to severe to moderate drought conditions across the area. Some homeowners had begun to water their lawns.

The rain will benefit smaller crops that recently were planted and weren't too stressed. "The (water) demand for crops at that size isn't really that high," Clark said.

Farmers who try for three or more alfalfa cuttings are getting ready to bring in their first harvest, and the rain will get the ground ready for the next crop, he said.

"Your first crop represents about 40 percent of your yield, so you want to get as much quality in it as you can," he said.

The temperature throughout May has been relatively mild, which has helped the crops, but it also has been a windy month, and wind tends to dry the soil, he said. Ideally, farmers will receive an inch of rain a week throughout the summer, he said.

"At this point anything is good to move the crops forward," he said.

But Clark reiterated that even with the fresh rain, the county is about 2 inches below average for the year, so more is needed.

Barron County hasn't been as lucky, said Tim Jergenson, Barron County agricultural agent. The rain that reached the Chippewa Valley didn't fall there, he said.

"There's been light rain and mist. The airport didn't have enough to record," Jergenson said.

Since April 1 Barron County is short between 4 and 5 inches of rain, putting much of the county in moderate drought conditions.

"We had enough soil moisture to get us started, but we have very little subsoil moisture," he said. "(Crops) have a very fragile and shallow root system."

If there is one positive to report, Jergenson said, the dry spring has allowed farmers to get in the field and plant their crops.

"I'd say 90 percent of our corn has been planted, and most of our small grains are planted," Jergenson said. "That bodes well for timing and progress."

Vetter can be reached at 723-0303 or chris.vetter@ecpc.com.

Newstex ID: 35331936

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