Early Fall Dryness Could Lead To Agriculture Struggles During Driest Month Of The Year

An early fall dry spell could create issues for the agriculture world as it continues with the driest month of the year.

Van Buren County Agriculture Agent Chris Binkley said October is traditionally the driest month in the Upper Cumberland. He said September was drier than normal, which might hinder farmers looking to stockpile cool-season grass for livestock grazing.

“And we can’t do that because we don’t have the water,” Binkley said. “And then typically what takes place is we over-graze it then. And then when we overgraze it that kind of just is a setback which makes you have to start feeding your hay earlier. Anyone in the livestock business knows your feed is your biggest cost.”

Binkley said the longer you can keep livestock grazing, the easier it is to keep those costs down. Without the rainfall, Binkley said that proves difficult.

As for the rest of the month, Binkley said the weather will typically follow set patterns. He said hopefully the chance of rain predicted for the end of the week can continue into a pattern for the month.