Scurry County cotton farmers are hoping area rainfall will be a little more frequent and consistent visitor in the coming months.
Rainfall, one of a cotton farmer’s biggest ally in the battle to produce a good crop, has been generally hit-or-miss in this area so far this year — some areas have received sufficient rainfall, while other areas are not getting enough.
“Rain’s been really all over the board for us this year,” said Greg Gruben, Scurry County’s agriculture extension agent. “Some guys are getting enough rain, while others don’t have enough.”
This inconsistent pattern hasn’t been restricted to Scurry County — extension offices across the South Plains are reporting the same pattern, Gruben said.
“It’s been spotty everywhere, it seems,” he said.
Lack of adequate moisture dealt a major blow earlier this year, pushing back the start of cotton planting in most parts of the county from its usual time in early May to June, Gruben said.
“The crop’s really young this year,” he said. “We really need a late fall this year and the last thing we need is an early freeze.”
But the most important thing area farmers need is rain.
“It’s been plenty hot. The crops have really grabbed hold and started growing the last couple of weeks,” Gruben said. “What we need right now is a good, general, two-inch rain without (hail) falling out of the sky.”
Gruben said prices, which have been low the past few years, are not expected to rebound anytime soon, meaning that a good crop is a must for many Scurry County farmers.
“I don’t see prices changing dramatically anytime soon,” he said. “The biggest thing for cotton farmers will be when and if we get a new farm bill. If we don’t get a good crop this year, some guys are going to fall out of the business.”