With less than an inch of rain total in some areas for the month of May, farmers and ranchers may finally be able to feel reprieve after the stresses brought on by the extremely dry year to date.
For some, the lack of moisture hasn’t been as much of a burden as it has been to others. The amount of rain received has not been evenly disbursed by any means. While one may experience a downpour, another, who may be less than five miles away, may have received zero moisture.
Some farmers and ranchers will be able to successfully harvest two or even three cuttings of hay or alfalfa while others had to either spray, kill, and replant their fields with the hopes of growing something later in the year. Some producers have cut what little growth there is, hoping and praying for the best.
Within the last week, Wednesday June 20 through Tuesday, June 27, Wessington Springs and the surrounding area was blessed with rain, roughly 1.18” according to official weather recorder for Wessington Springs, Kathy Voorhees.
With the total amounting to roughly 2.43” of rain in June thus far, agriculturists can only hope it isn’t too late to make some sort of positive impact on crops.
While folks across the area are extremely grateful for the moisture received, we can only hope and pray for more in the coming months.