Drought

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Thu Jul 07, 2016 7:01 pm

We are in the bright red area east of Toronto. If it doesn't rain soon, and it's unlikely to according to the weatherman gurus. I think I can wave goodbye to our well water very, very soon. The corn and soy are suffering, trees are wilting and there's no pasture and I seriously doubt there will be a second cut of hay.
We've tried very hard to cut back on our water use and we're blessed with a good creek that has never run dry (yet).
It was just serendipity that when we bought our place there was a water source on it, but if we ever move,and we plan to, a water source takes priority over all other features. Just something to think about if you are thinking of buying- make sure there's water.

Post by **Killerbunny** » Thu Jul 07, 2016 7:47 pm

Yup, we're concerned too.

windwalkingwolf · Post by **windwalkingwolf** » Fri Jul 08, 2016 12:08 am

I'm lucky in that this place has a very deep well, and we are surrounded by nearby small waterways. In previous years at our other property, in periods of low rainfall we often had to pump from creek or swamp just to get water for the livestock...but a recent trip to the property a couple days ago shows the spring-fed swamp is almost dried up, to only just enough water for the painter turtles to wade in! In some spots, that swamp is 5 feet deep but not this year. The beavers are SO bored, they can't float their trees and branches lol. It's nice to not have to worry about our drinking water for a change, but I'm worried about our hay, and about crop prices in the late summer/fall/winter. If we don't get some good soakers soon, grain prices are going to go through the roof. Actually, they probably will anyway because dehydration causes permanent damage in many plants.

Maximus · Post by **Maximus** » Fri Jul 08, 2016 8:30 am

My swampy amphibian rich river which has never completely dried up since I have been here (5 years) all the way to the end of my property is beyond dry and cracked. Usually dries by the road, but not deep in the property. I live on land that is classified as 'marsh' and is typically wet even with the rest of the surrounding area is dehydrated. ATV'ing out back on the weekend there was cracks in the dirt. Dried up like a dessert. I don't even hear the normal racket of the toads and frogs anymore in the evenings.

Local clove fields seem to be suffering the most. Soy is browning, corn is stunted and wheat seems to be cut on schedule.

Post by **WLLady** » Fri Jul 08, 2016 8:43 am

we've been lucky with our well too.....but worried this year too. being on sand our crop is just toasted, even planting the drought resistant corn. the corn is short, and curled and the leaves are burning-up the sides of the leaves now too, not just the tips. the grass is gone and dirt kicking up when we walk, just sandbox sand...the horses feet are SOOO dry and cracked, even with hoof painting and regular care and tons of drinking water and supplements. we did get some rain yesterday, but we need a 5 day gentle soaker to recover even a little bit. the sand was dry 1 cm below the surface. i have the sprinkler on the bare minimum for the garden, so i don't empty the one well, but we have already run that one down just doing barn water and then watering the garden.....so even the ground water is LOW. we didn't have the snow cover to melt this year either. so we started low in the first place. hopefully it will switch up and we'll have a damp end of summer....fingers crossed.

Cliff · Post by **Cliff** » Fri Jul 08, 2016 8:44 am

Robbie wrote:QR_BBPOST We are in the bright red area east of Toronto. If it doesn't rain soon, and it's unlikely to according to the weatherman gurus. I think I can wave goodbye to our well water very, very soon. The corn and soy are suffering, trees are wilting and there's no pasture and I seriously doubt there will be a second cut of hay.
We've tried very hard to cut back on our water use and we're blessed with a good creek that has never run dry (yet).
It was just serendipity that when we bought our place there was a water source on it, but if we ever move,and we plan to, a water source takes priority over all other features. Just something to think about if you are thinking of buying- make sure there's water.

it is the same hear in Kinburn ,,

Post by **Home Grown Poultry** » Fri Jul 08, 2016 9:34 am

we got a heck of a soaker last night thankfully, twice in one week. fingers crossed you all get the rain you need! the ducks are very happy and so is our gardens. I feel very fortunate.

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Fri Jul 08, 2016 7:16 pm

We got a tiny bit of rain this morning, just enough to make it extra humid- but as of 7pm I'm watching a line of rain moving across southern ontario on the weather radar, and there's a severe thunderstorm watch in effectfor Peterborough so maybe we'll get a little more and so will every one else! As long as there are no tornadoes!

ross · Post by **ross** » Fri Jul 08, 2016 7:22 pm

Lots a rain & thunder dunders here . Luck

redninja · Post by **redninja** » Fri Jul 08, 2016 7:34 pm

Thunderstorm with hail and buckets of rain here, finally. It was coming down so heavy had a shower.