By: Chris Gilson, cgilson@cbs4qc.com
It seems the recent rain would be putting a dent in the region's drought. But is it? While Mother Nature is having a change of heart, there's still a long way to go.
The QCA is still in a moderate drought despite what seems to be a wetter winter compared to last.
Some local farmers said while the rains this year have helped the Mississippi River rise, it still may not be enough to help them when growing season starts.
"Now it knows how to rain lets hope it knows how to rain when the ground is thawed out," Robb Ewoldt said.
Scott County Farmer Robb Ewoldt said the rains this year have helped the Mississippi River levels. So now barges can carry larger loads, lowering shipping costs for farmers.
"We've hopefully taken care of the river level problem now we just go to wait for the ground to thaw out so we can get the moisture down in that sub soil," Ewoldt said.
Sub soil that's 2-3 feet deep that needs to soak in the moisture, crops need to grow.
But, right now much of the rain isn't giving farmers any relief.
"We're looking at some of these where there is still frost so whatever rain is coming right now the ground is frozen, it's running off," he said.
Run off that may keep the ground dry, if Mother Nature doesn't give the soil a drink this spring.
"Last year when we planted we knew we were kind of dry coming into it but our subsoil moisture was good. This year we don't have the subsoil moisture," he said.
And if this year turns out to be just as dry as last, Ewoldt said it's the farmer who will feel the heat the most.
"It's going to affect the produces pocket more than it is the consumer at the grocery store right now," he said.
Ewoldt said while we've had some thaws this year, we haven't had them long enough to let the rain soak through the ground. He said the first two weeks of March will be key for rainfall and the soil.
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