Last weekend’s floods were a pain for many — but not Virginia farmers
It may sound ridiculous, but last weekend’s storms ended up being a good thing — for Virginia farmers, at least.
According to a crop report released this week by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, some areas in the state received about 3.5 inches of rain between Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, and it was desperately needed.
In the week before the storm, there was a 32% moisture shortage in topsoil around the state; the rate it lowered to 8% afterward.
David Hickman, a board member of the Virginia Farm Bureau, said the Eastern Shore has been devastated by a summer drought. Corn and soy were some of the hardest-hit crops. In some areas, 50% to 75% of farm yields might be lost because of the dry weather, he said.
The Virginia agricultural market brings in $70 billion annually and employs about 334,000 people and most farms are family-run according to the VFB.
“The rain on the Eastern Shore was a blessing,” Hickman said.
Everett Eaton, 262-902-7896, everett.eaton@virginiamedia.com
