(7/30) Portions of northern Frederick and southern Adams Counties officially moved from pre-drought conditions to a declared drought during the week of July 20. The portions of Frederick and Adams Counties, which are not in a declared drought, remain in an 'abnormally dry' condition, which is one level short of a potential full-blown drought.

While the affected communities in southern Adams County may be looking at water restrictions, those involved in agricultural pursuits in northern Frederick County have already been struggling. Over the past six weeks, before the official drought declaration was issued, crop damage and worsening conditions have been reported. These conditions are the result of excessive heat, dropping water table levels and birds seeking moisture and food.

Eric Glass, who operates the 600-acre Oakridge Farm, has watched his corn crop depreciate daily since the heat wave began to intensify. Corn is one of the farm's primary products, along with soybeans. Glass said that he has already sustained a 25 to 30-percent loss of his corn crop and continues to lose one-percent or more as the pattern of excessive heat and dropping water table continues.

"This has been a critical time for corn," he said, "because corn needs the water to develop a tassel, which is integral for the corn to be able to self-pollinate. The pollen is produced in the tassel. Water then carries the pollen from the tassel down to the ovules, leading to the development of the kernels on an ear. The number of 'silk' strands in the tassel determines the number of kernels that will be on the cob. Heat and lack of water can interfere with the development of the tassel and adversely impact the development of the ears.

"Water deficiency aside, excessive heat further complicates matters. Excessive heat during the day is one thing", Glass stated, "but the corn needs a break from the heat at night with lowered temperatures, but even the nights have not seen sufficient reduction in temperatures. Warm nights really hurt the corn."

He is anticipating a significant loss of the corn crop, stating "if the present conditions persist for another week, the crop will be lost." Glass’ soybeans have not been affected so far, but the herd of Red Angus cattle that he maintains will have started feeding on his stock of winter hay as the grass they feed on dries up.

Mike Wivell, of Maple Lane Farm, said he was lucky he was able to complete both a first and second cutting of hay. However, he stated, "without any rain, there will be no third cutting."

Another local farmer was not so lucky. While he had an average first cutting of hay, he only got 30-percent of his normal second cutting and has no hope for a third. His corn crop reflects the circumstances noted by Glass.

"To make matters worse," the farmer said, "not only will corn and bean yields be down significantly, but the prices I'll get for them will be lower than usual as farmers elsewhere around the country are having bumper crops." He said, "while this year is not yet the worst he has seen, unless things turn around, and turn around fast, it will be. Fall and its cooler weather can't come soon enough."

Catoctin Mountain Orchard is also suffering from the stress of droughts. The business, owned by Robert Black, and his sister, Pat, is a 100-acre farm, with 70 percent of the site delegated to growing vegetables, cover crops and other produce. The orchard grows a number of fruits, including apples, peaches, cherries, pears, plums, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and Concord grapes.

Black said that the greatest threat posed to orchard operations is more excessive heat than water deficiency. Water is supplied throughout the site via "miles and miles" of small tubes employing trickle, or drip, irrigation. "The extreme heat is the issue," and is "taxing the (fruit) trees." As a result, in the current heat wave, "they're (the trees) losing more water than they can take in," Black stated.

Another issue that has stricken the crops and fruit trees is the "extreme bird pressure," Black said, as birds in never-before-seen numbers are flocking to the orchard seeking moisture and food. "I never saw them going after blackberries as much," he said. "They're eating some of the crop, and we're not insured for bird damage."

Rainfall for the drought-affected regions is at a fraction of the average rainfall, and significantly less then last year. The amount of rainfall this year has dropped from 4 inches in May, to 2.7 inches in June, to just 1 inch in July. Last year, the area received 7.8 inches in May, 5 inches in June and 10 inches in July.

There has been a total of 20 days in July without any precipitation, and what precipitation did occur almost immediately evaporated, which raised humidity - adding insult to injury.