Coming back from vacation, driving through Illinois and Indiana, I felt very lucky. The welcome sign really had meaning after seeing all the horrible conditions of the corn in our neighbors to the east. If you can’t read it, the sign tells you Iowa’s state motto: Fields of Opportunities.
When I got home, my corn looked great to me. I still had an opportunity to have a good harvest.
Now after another week, I’m watching those opportunities burn up.
The news is calling this the worst drought in a generation. Eighty-nine percent of Iowa’s fields are short on moisture. Thirty-six percent of the fields are still in good condition, but twenty-five percent are in poor or worse condition. (Channel 13 News)
When I was walking along the field to bring the goats up from pasture, I could smell something different. I knew the smell, but it took me a minute to figure out it was the smell of cooking corn. It really is being cooked in the fields.
The Back Forty is also turning brown and drying up. The watering hole is virtually dry.
The cattle have been coming up to drink from the cattle tank in the barnyard for a few days now. When you drink twenty gallons at a time, that little mud hole won’t work.
Maxine and Norma Jean
Last night I saw the llama headed towards the barnyard. He stopped his walking to watch the dust kicked up by a passing vehicle. Then he continued up to the barnyard.
It’s the first time he’s been up there since I let him out to pasture. It certainly looks like he appreciated the water. I feel sorry for all the wild animals that I don’t have any way to help because it’s surely difficult for them to find anything to drink.
Luckily, the pasture is still feeding the animals, but it is more like they are eating hay than fresh pasture.
The sun still beats down with temperatures above normal and little rain in sight.
Iowa’s fields of opportunities are falling victim to this drought.
Linking to Alphabe-Thursday hosted by Jenny Matlock. This week, it’s all about the letter I.
I am also linking to Rural Thursday hosted by Nancy at A Rural Journal and Lisa at Two Bears Farm.
Teresa
Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:05:19
Oh my goodness! Corn actually cooking IN the field? I do feel sorry for all the wildlife, too. Hope wet conditions return very soon!!!
Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:07:23
Thanks. The plants are really burning up, which is what I’m sure I was smelling. I’m not sure the cobs are even forming kernels because it is so hot.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:07:25
Oh dear. We have had a little relief from the heat here and had some rain. I hope it is headed your way!!!
Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:08:05
Last check showed most of it going north of Iowa, but hopefully we’ll get some soon.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:17:44
It is so sad to see the country as dry as it is. While the west has endured this for many years, the other states have not and now the whole country. A long time ago I can remember my dad saying that the east coast would be hot & dry and the west would be wet and cooler. I don’t know if that is ever going to happen but it is definitely hot all over. Parts of Arizona got some rain this past week but not nearly enough. I wish you luck with the water and pasture situation. You have a lot of animals to feed. Thanks for sharing.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:19:40
It does seem that there are way too many parts of the country suffering from the current weather pattern. The last I heard was that it would be late fall before we saw much relief. Hopefully we’ll have a better year next year.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:18:08
Teresa, I heard this on last night’s news, and it made me so upset. I feel so badly for the farmers, and we will all be suffering due to this drought. I don’t know why the weather has been so weird this past year. I hope we get the rain we need. xo
Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:21:03
They are blaming our drought on la nina~ocean currents in the Pacific Ocean. Hard to imagine that something so far away can have such a dramatic effect. Hopefully it changes soon. It will certainly affect food prices for everyone.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:40:41
i am sorry it is now catching you, too. terrible for all of the midwest…
Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:50:02
We certainly know how you Texans felt last year now.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 16:08:53
Being a farmer is a very challenging job.
I lived in Central Illinois for a few years
and had hundreds of miles of corn all
around Champaign-Urbana. Some had the watering
system and some were not as fortunate.
I would love to send some of the rain we
have right now to the Midwest. It’s rainy
season in Florida and it storms every day.
Great eye opening post.
Sandy
Jul 18, 2012 @ 16:12:07
Thanks. There are very few irrigation systems around here because it is so seldom necessary.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 16:35:19
The corn in the fields here looks so dry!
Jul 18, 2012 @ 17:32:46
It certainly seems to be a bad farming year all across the country.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 16:48:22
On NPR today a discussion about the drought and the corn crops being in ruins said that the ‘I’ states, Iowa, Indiana and Illinois were the only places that seemed to be holding on to their crops. Thank goodness. It is heartbreaking to think of the farmers who worked so hard having to now see those crops wither. I love seeing photos of your farm and animals. It is such a treat! Thanks so much for sharing.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 17:34:18
When I went through Illinois and Indiana, they were much worse than we were. Most of theirs in the southern part is already a total loss. Hopefully it’s better to the north.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 16:49:42
I cannot imagine it — corn literally cooking under the sun. Everything here in Chicago is being fried as well. Luckily your critters have you to watch over them.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 17:34:55
They really are going through a lot of water each day. I try to keep the buckets full so the kids can reach too.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 17:04:54
I wish for you to get some rain and relieve soon. Corn cooking in the field isn’t all that good, and I feel for the animals too.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 17:35:37
The whole plant is just being baked and dried. If there isn’t rain very soon, it won’t matter for this year’s crops.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 17:36:05
Wish I could send you some of the torrential rain we have been having here lately!
Jul 18, 2012 @ 17:45:09
We would be forever grateful.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 18:17:05
I heard this on the news today and I am so worried about all the animals, plants and trees suffering in this drought. The soybeans here are burning up- it’s just a nightmare everywhere!
Jul 18, 2012 @ 19:39:24
It really is a sad state. So far all of my animals are doing well, but the crops are not looking promising.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 18:35:42
this is heartbreaking
we have drought here in western pa ( with some rain forecast and thunder all around where I worked today and here at home…but no rain yet ) but for the farmers and our food supply it is just awful
Jul 18, 2012 @ 19:40:40
It really will start having an impact on food prices. The sheep market is going down because it’s a sign there is not enough pasture for them. That means eventually there will be fewer sheep to supply the demand.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 18:36:55
Because of following blogs, I have a whole new appreciation for the weather conditions in other parts of the country and how it affects the crops. I sure hope you get some rain in time to help the corn this year. I don’t even want to think about food prices this winter…
Jul 18, 2012 @ 19:41:17
The weather really does impact every aspect of our lives whether we know it or not.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 19:06:29
Love the photo of your Mom and Tim! In fact all your photos are wonderful. We had wobbly goats that needed a BoSe (selenium) shot to fix them up. Hope the little guy is ok… he sure is getting lots of love and attention! I always thought of our goats as big dogs… they were sweet. I sure wish you and the country would get the rain that they need. It is tragic to see what the lack of rain can bring about. Thank you for your kind comments.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 19:42:30
Thanks. Tim really is just messed up. He’s had the vitamins to help with the strength, and it is a balance thing. He is adorable. I do really keep hoping for rain, but it just keeps passing us by.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 19:13:22
Praying for some rain for you!!!!!
Jul 18, 2012 @ 19:42:58
Thank you. We do need it desperately.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 20:35:07
Its awful this year… I really do hope you get rain soon. Kentucky’s had alittle here and there, which is better than nothing.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 20:56:50
It really is bad. I’m not sure if there is even time for rain to salvage the crops this year.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 21:48:39
It’s sprinkling rain here right now and it has been cooler the past few days then the last few weeks. I hope this weather comes to Iowa!
Jul 18, 2012 @ 22:32:09
It’s mostly jumping to the north of us through Minnesota, but northern Iowa did get some rain this evening. Glad you’ve cooled down some!
Jul 18, 2012 @ 22:34:35
It’s so sad to see your fields drying up. Hoping you get enough rain to turn things around soon.
Jul 18, 2012 @ 22:40:21
It really doesn’t look like there will be any change soon. Temps in the next seven days are supposed to be in mid- to upper-nineties and no rain.
Jul 19, 2012 @ 00:11:48
I am in Kentucky and the corn crops here are pitiful. One particular stretch of highway that I travel often is pretty much corn fields on both sides for several miles. Normally I love seeing the growing corn as I drive along, but now it is just pitiful and sad. I have visited the local farmer’s markets lately and there has been very little corn at all and the other vegetables are feeling the heat too. Tomatoes are smaller and beginning to split open on the vines. Grasshoppers and some type of beetle have also become a problem with the soy bean crops. Cattle Farmers here are selling cattle because they fear not being able to feed their herds.
Jul 19, 2012 @ 08:06:16
We already have farmers feeding hay to their cattle, so I worry about them having to sell off their herds too. It’s such a shame to see all this going on.
Jul 19, 2012 @ 00:46:48
Hi Teresa. Sorry about you drought. We has one here in Texas last year and there were NO crops and lots of fires. I hope and pray for some rain for all you guys SOON. My Nebraska cousins are hurting as well though they think there will be some crops.
BTW, my sister and BIL moved a few years ago from Fontanelle, which is southwest of Des Moines and still a little further west of Greenfield over to Center Point which is north of Cedar Rapids. I don’t know how things are over there?
Jim’s Alphabe-Thursday
..
Jul 19, 2012 @ 08:08:13
The eastern third of the state, where they would be located, is pretty bad too. I do believe west and north of here is still a bit better than we are. We are way better than Illinois and Indiana. This drought is horribly widespread, and they are comparing it to the dust bowl years.
Jul 19, 2012 @ 04:10:21
Hi again!
Many thanks for stopping by my blog!
Such an interesting post – sorry about the drought – got one here in S Spain too…
Have a good weekend too,
Visiting from Alphabe-Thursday
Jul 19, 2012 @ 08:08:56
It seems like the weather is in extremes everywhere this year. We’re in drought and Australia and England are too wet. Crazy weather.
Jul 19, 2012 @ 08:43:31
Oh yes this is some awful year. We have water for now but you are so right about the pastures being like straw not the lush pastures they should be eating.
I do hope it rains soon for everyone at least on this side of the pond England sure does not need any. Take care. Great shots. B
Jul 19, 2012 @ 10:03:33
I think if we could even out the floods and droughts we could all have just the right balance.
Jul 19, 2012 @ 09:02:08
My corn isn’t doing well either.
I do hope you get some rain soon!
Jul 19, 2012 @ 10:03:49
I hope the entire midwest gets some!
Jul 19, 2012 @ 09:08:43
My heart goes out to all you folks in the midwest! We have been following the drought on the evening news…what a horrible summer…one we will remember. Here in S.Central Pa….the farmers have been blessed with rain…although we have been having hot,humid temps in the high 90′s the showers have been giving us relief. The corn crop here is ahead of time n very good! Thanks be to GOD n mother nature for the rain.
Jul 19, 2012 @ 10:04:28
I am glad to hear that someone is having a good year!
Jul 19, 2012 @ 09:29:17
If I could I would sent you the whole rainy sky over ! We have water water everywhere and the poor cows and horses, sometimes are standing in water ! It’s too much. Unfortunately we can’t mix our weathers !
Jul 19, 2012 @ 10:05:20
Wouldn’t that be wonderful if we could share our weather! I hope you get some of the dry weather that you need. Poor animals~it’s hard for them both ways.
Jul 19, 2012 @ 13:57:41
We hear on the news what is happening in different countries in the USA where there is so much heat and draught. Hopefully there will be some rain soon and some cooling off too
Jul 19, 2012 @ 14:16:50
Truly, I hope so.
Jul 19, 2012 @ 18:14:39
I was so hopeful at the start of your post that you would find all well and it would remain that way. I’m so sad for what’s happening. I’m grateful for the rain we had day before yesterday… it was much needed for our neighbors who are all farmers. You’re in our prayers.
Jul 19, 2012 @ 18:16:25
Just heard on the news that they are saying it will continue through October and possibly spread to Pennsylvania and New York. It certainly is not a good situation.
Jul 19, 2012 @ 18:50:30
I didn’t know Iowa’s state motto until your post but, after visiting there a few years ago, I would say it’s an apt slogan. I do hope this drought ends soon…
Jul 19, 2012 @ 20:04:09
Usually it is a perfect place to grow things, but it doesn’t sound like it’s going to improve any time soon.
Jul 19, 2012 @ 19:49:04
Dear friend,
The pictures are simply beautiful. I can feel the peace and beauty in each one.
Jul 19, 2012 @ 20:06:11
Thanks. Sometimes you just have to leave the world behind and play a little bit.
Jul 20, 2012 @ 04:37:56
Heard last night on the news they are predicting above average temps thru October. I hope that is not the case.
Jul 20, 2012 @ 08:42:48
It really doesn’t look promising. Our seven day doesn’t have a temp below 95.
Jul 20, 2012 @ 19:52:23
More than anything, I wish I could send you some water from here – we had rain again today.
Jul 20, 2012 @ 21:11:11
It’s the whole cornbelt that needs it. I do appreciate the sentiment.
Jul 27, 2012 @ 09:25:51
This is just a heart breaking post.
Not enough water for living things seems like the worst kind of deprivation.
I’m so sorry.
I hope some moisture finds you soon.
Your poor farm!
Thanks for sharing this. Maybe all of our combined prayers will help.
Hugs and
A+
Jul 27, 2012 @ 11:21:51
We’ve actually had about a half an inch of rain with more possibilities for this weekend. My corn is still hanging in there. I really feel bad for the wild animals because I don’t know how to help them.