Peanut, cotton crops in Alabama's Wiregrass hurt by heat, drought
10/27/2023 12:00:00 AM
CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
Plants & Wildlife
AFFECTED AREAS:
Barbour County, AL
Coffee County, AL
Dale County, AL
Geneva County, AL
Henry County, AL
Houston County, AL
Pike County, AL
Start Date: 8/1/2023
- End Date: 10/26/2023
The August heat and about six weeks of drought in Alabama's Wiregrass region really hurt the peanut and cotton crops. Some farmers have said that this is the worst drought since 1980, with some even saying that it was worse than 1980. The average loss per farmer could amount to about 400 to 500 pounds of peanuts, or about 14% of the profit that they might have earned this year. In a typical year, the state averages about 3,600 pounds of peanuts per farmer.
Cotton that was harvested early amounted to about 650 to 750 pounds on average, or a little more than one bale of cotton. Farmers need to make two bales to cover costs. Some farmers do not have enough hay this season.
WDHN-TV ABC 18 Dothan (Ala.), Oct 26, 2023
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