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Drought Causes Concerns for Pike Co. Farmers

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By CBS-8 Reporter

Story Created: May 29, 2012 at 6:17 PM CDT

Story Updated: May 29, 2012 at 9:52 PM CDT

From the CBS 8 Troy Newsroom-- The extreme drought conditions are affecting crops in our area, and farmers say unless rain picks up, it could cause problems across the state.

While forecasters are predicting rain this week, farmers say it still won't be enough to ease their concerns.

"I have about 90 acres of soybeans, and got right about 400 acres of cotton already planted," says Pike County farmer James Jordan. "It might have some trouble if we don't get some rain."

Jordan is hoping Mother Nature pulls through.

Right now, most of South Alabama is under an extreme drought, and Jordan says until his farm receives a large amount of rain, he won't be able to give crops the care they need.

Which he says it turn will affect prices at the checkout and our local economy by sending business and jobs overseas.

"A lot of people are starting to get fed up and tired of it. It's such an international market now. They have a good crop in China or Brazil," he says. "It hurts our prices when you couple that with a low yield from a drought. It will leave you in a bad situation."

Rhonda Dease with Pike Farmers Co-Op says it's not just Jordan facing problems. She says farmers across the area are hurting.

"From 2004, it's just been a steady decline in adequate rainfall and adequate rainfall at the right time for the crops to produce what they need to produce for the farmers to survive," she says.

Jordan says there's not much left he can do except not give up hope.

"That's all we ever do. Pray for rain every year," he says.

Jordan says he needs up to an inch of rain for the next several weeks to feel better about this year's crops.

Officials with the Pike Farmers Co-Op say right now, the drought is hurting corn and soybean production the most.

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