Monroe County is still in a drought, even after rainfall this weekend.
The county received 2 to 3 inches of rain over Labor Day weekend, bringing the rain deficit for the year down from 12 inches to 9 to 10 inches. Still, Monroe County continued to be listed by the United States Drought Monitor as experiencing an extreme drought, just one step below the worst possible category of drought.
“A D3 drought is described as a 25- to 50-year return,” Ken Scheeringa, associate state climatologist for Indiana, said. “The last time we had this level of intensity was in 1988, which fits in with the distinction of a D3 drought.”
What it means to be designated a D3-level drought is there are water shortages, particularly in residential wells, and low stream levels.
Additionally, livestock feed shortages were experienced in Monroe County as farmers’ pastures dried out and died. Many farms have had to resort to buying hay. However, hay was affected by the drought, as well, so it has been selling at a higher price than normal. Some farmers abandoned their failing corn crops, treated the refuse, and turned them into feed.
“You guys have been in a drought for quite a while – since July – but you’re coming out of it now,” Scheeringa said.
Local farmer Mark Mobley said area crops have been devastated by the drought.
“I’d say most people are going to lose around 75%, but it’s hard to say before we go out in the fields,” he said. “And, anyway, it depends on where you’re at. Some places will be worse than others. Some people might lose near 100% of their crop.”
Creekbend Vineyard, an Oliver Winery vineyard on the west side of Ellettsville, has not seen the same impact of the drought as other area farms.
“We have been affected by the drought,” Oliver Winery vineyard caretaker Bernie Parker said. “It has slowed vine growth and reduced berry size, which, of course, reduced our overall yield.”
Grapes are harvested once per year. Despite the drought, Oliver Winery’s estimated harvest from Creekbend Vineyard is 130 tons.
“Grape vines are pretty resilient,” Parker said. “They’re deep-rooted, so they’re getting enough water. Right now, I would say everything is progressing well. We’re producing top-notch flavors with high sugars.”
The 54-acre vineyard currently has 34 acres of berrying vines and 20 acres of young vines that have yet to berry. It represents less than 2% of Oliver Winery’s total annual crop yield.
The United States Department of Agriculture announced on Aug. 22 that it would be opening emergency loans up to farmers earlier in the season in order to assist livestock producers in offsetting increased feed costs.
Ellettsville Fire Department Division Chief Bill Headley said the burn ban is still in effect in Monroe County. Additionally, he noted, the Monroe County Commission declared the ban and is responsible for ending it.
Originally published in Ellettsville Journal, 2012. Republished here for archival and portfolio purposes.