Drought in 2002

[winston]

Is it going to happen again? Are many farmers looking at locking in new crop prices for oats, peas etc or just waiting to see what the spring moisture looks like?

[DanMoore]

Over the last four years we have experienced early springs. My earliest planting have been in March; with no measurable losses. With such early starts the soil drainage was not matched by rainfall.

There is a good blanket down here in the Annapolis Valley at present. The arrival of spring thaw will be the key. If the rainfall is not in the record levels, we will continue if not see an increase in drought effects.

My own actions will be to put in more organic matter and to increase the use of mulches. I may even spring for an efficient drip-irrigation system.