TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) – The current drought conditions are putting a financial strain on some farmers.
West Alabama farmer Forrest Wiggins says it’s so dry right now, he can’t continue planting his crops – at least until we get some rain again.
Wiggins is a third-generation farmer and says even though he’s seen these conditions before, it never gets easy.
“We’re working in the fields doing some work we normally wouldn’t,” said Wiggins. “My son’s down in Greene County hoping to get through today sometime.”
Earlier this week, the Department of Agriculture declared at least 30 Alabama counties as disaster areas for drought.
Commissioner Rick Pate with the Alabama Ag and Industries department says this drought could become even more problematic, if the rains don’t fall soon.
The disaster declaration means farmers are eligible for low-interest loans, if they meet certain requirements.
“What’s important for anybody is contact their local USDA office, make them aware if they planted winter grass for their cattle,” said Commissioner Pate.
Another hurdle to overcome for farmers – higher prices on just about anything related to farming, like fertilizer, because of the war in the Middle East, according to Pate. On some products, the prices have sky-rocked by 30%.
“A lot of the products come from over there, not just from Iran but travel through that Straight, we get some of the ingredients we use in fertilizers,” said Pate.
Wiggins says he hasn’t decided if he’ll apply for a disaster loan.
Pate estimates thousands of farmers are currently impacted by the drought in the counties that have been declared disaster areas.
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