Rain, 2 months late

The rain returns, the cameras shift, and those impacted continue to salvage what they can from one of the worst agricultural disasters in recent memory.  

Despite 5 inches of rain in August the damage is done, farmers continue to round bale their
corn in the Green Creek area (8/11/12)

The numbers are still pouring in from the drought, and the lasting impacts and significance have yet to be realized.  For some, the drought was bearable.  For many, the drought was historic.  For our location, it was the worst drought since 1936 according to several local "old-timers."  Using a neighbor's precipitation reports, I was able to confirm that we received 1.58in from May 1st-August 1st, which is 15.84in below average for our area.

The photo above was taken in Green Creek.  A farmer, rather than spend the time and fuel to round bale his corn, opted to unleash his hungry cattle on this corn field. 

While the drought was devastating in our area, the only area I've found in Illinois (I never traveled south of Effingham) that compares, if not trumps the Green Creek area, is an area between Havana - San Jose, Illinois on Route 136.  Farmers in this area take advantage of the Illinois River to irrigate their crops, but the fields without irrigation were absolutely horrendous.





The above photo was taken along route 136.  While I snapped this photo on August 17th, I traveled this route every two weeks.  This corn field had completely dried out by late July.  In addition, even the soybeans in this area (that lack irrigation) are dead or dying.


For those of you who are not familiar with the phenology of soybeans, they can take drought. They're survivors. To see entire fields of soybeans die....wow. 


























I snapped this photo on August 17th of a farmer shelling his corn.  Due to the drought, harvest has begun a month early in this area east of Havana, IL.  During a normal year, the corn in this photo would be twice as tall (half way up the combine's cabin).

The growing season is nearly over, and the disaster will have less of an impact following the passage of summer.  I've taken over 500 photos of drought this summer.  I made a point to shoot whenever I had free time.  Not because it was "newsworthy," but because I knew that I may never see a drought of this magnitude again in my lifetime.  It was my attempt to document it.  I encourage you to get out and see these drought ridden areas.  You may not have another chance for another 20-30 years (we hope).