From staff reports OKLAHOMA CITY – Varying climate of extreme drought in some years to heavy rainfall in others have forced Oklahoma producers to learn ways to manage their crops.
When asked about the heavy rainfall in the drou3ght-stricken Panhandle recently, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur said, “When that much rain comes down at one time, it isn’t useful if there’s no way to capture that. We are having discussions as we see these changes over time of how much rain we are getting and how we can utilize that water better. Are there ways to reuse that water? Guymon is having really good discussions about that.”
Although Arthur believes producers across the state are generally optimistic after recent rainfall and cooler early July temperatures improved pastures and filled ponds, she said that during late June’s flash drought, the Drought Commission was already having discussions about allocating funds.
“There are funds available at the Drought Commission, at the Conservation Commission. Those district offices have done an exceptional job of getting the dollars out that were allocated previously, but I think the great thing about the Legislature directing those funds to the Drought Commission is that when we get into those D2 (severe), D3 (extreme), or D4 (exceptional) drought situations, now the Drought Commission can come together and say, ‘what is the need that exists and how can we best approach that need?’” Arthur said they will be watching the weather throughout July and August as Oklahoma’s climate goes from La Niña to El Niño – two recurring patterns that can affect weather around the world.