I’m writing about a big win in the central Plains. Up until about three weeks ago, it felt to me like the summer weather patterns would be far too similar to the drought of 2012.
In fact, folks I know who subscribe to a “weather guru” suggested the central Great Plains would indeed experience extreme drought. In our general area, it was so dry that center pivots were running the minute crops were planted. All we could do was share the old adage “plant in the dust and the bins will bust.” Honestly, it is a little early to say the crop is made, but 10 inches of rain in the past two weeks has certainly made the cows happy.
It’s funny how some moisture followed by blue sky and sunshine will give you the boost to take on any project.
Before I go on, I know many parts of the United States still look to the sky every day for a cloud front that might yield a bit of rain. I don’t want to make anybody reading this feel like they are getting left out, but I want to point out that green grass is the best therapy one could sign up for.
Some people in areas of the West are still experiencing the worst drought in their lifetime but, at the same time, a hundred miles down the road folks are in great shape. I am always aware that a pretty large section of the “Corn Belt” is rarely in a drought, but maybe just not getting the normal rainfall on crops for this time of the year.
All of this causes me to wonder how the current weather pattern stacks up with the historical droughts of the U.S. in the past 100 years. I went to a government tracking website called National Integrated Drought Information Systems to learn this: Between 1895 and 2010, on average, around 14% of the United States was experiencing severe to extreme drought (D2–D3) in any given year, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. While recent droughts and heat waves have made news and broken records in some areas of the United States, by the size of the geographical area affected and the length of time that it persisted, the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s is still the most notable drought and extreme heat event in the U.S. historical record.
I know that every part of this country (with the possible exception of southern California) has this quippy little saying, “If you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes and it will change.” Clearly that is the case all across the land. I also have no question that weather patterns have continued to change over the years.
In fact, the number of people talking about how the earth’s magnetic pole is shifting and could reverse gives cause for an interesting discussion on the future of how and where land use will change.
I might add, in my opinion, none of this is the result of manmade climate change. You don’t need to be much of a historian to see the continual shift in the harshness of the climate. If you don’t believe me, go check out the Grand Canyon. I reckon that wasn’t a great day to be sitting on the porch drinking coffee.
I am writing this in the glow of the June Strawberry Moon as experts tell us that the full moon is as close to us as it will be until 2043. It is worth mentioning that the June moon was so named because this is the time when the American Indians would find the first batch of wild strawberries for the summer under this moon.
I realize all of us have morphed into the convenience of homes, indoor plumbing and instant communication so we have isolated ourselves from the forces of nature. My critters seem to be more in tune with nature than we humans. Meanwhile we will take on the challenges we face with a clear mind thanks in part to sunny skies and bountiful green grass on the ground.
Editor’s note: The views expressed here are the author’s own and do not represent the views of High Plains Journal. Trent Loos is a sixth-generation United States farmer, host of the daily radio show “Loos Tales” and founder of Faces of Agriculture, a non-profit organization putting the human element back into the production of food. Get more information at www.LoosTales.com, or email Trent at [email protected].
PHOTO: A wall cloud forms underneath a tornadic supercell thunderstorm as it gathers strength. (Adobe Stock │ #157359268 – Dan Ross)
