Local farmers survive winter storms without major damages
By Peggy Walton staff writer
From the March 16, 1994 edition of The New Castle Record
It takes more than ice, sleet, snow, hail, subzero temperatures and mounds of mud to keep Craig farmers from getting the job done—from the looks of it, the harsh winter weather caused no major damage to local farms.
Some farmers lost livestock as a result of the ice storms, which caused animals to fall and break bones—cattle which slipped on the ice and broke their sternums had to be slaughtered. Many farmers are running short on hay, and are having to purchase feed and grains from farmers outside the area. Still others must make repairs to fencing damaged by fallen trees. But for the most part, area farmers have made it through one of the worst series of storms to hit Virginia for decades.
“All in all, they’ve fared pretty well,” said Craig County Extension Agent Roy Kaiser.
Fallen branches, brush and whole trees covering the ground across the state led many people to liken the condition of roads and pastures to a war zone, but county tree farmers say they’re detecting little damage to their crop.
“I haven’t seen any serious damage,” said Wendell Caldwell.
The tree farmer said many limbs are bending down from the weight if the ice that covered his trees after several inches of slush were dumped on them during at least three severe storms since December. But he’s optimistic that the damage is only temporary.
“I expect them to come back up when summertime comes.”
Mike Hinson, owner of Meadow Creek Tree Farm, surveyed the damage to his crop on Sunday. He was relieved to find no major problems, just “a twig off here or there.”
Livestock owners battled the cold by keeping feed close to the barn, so animals were less likely to be injured while crossing icy fields to eat. Feeding animals close to shelter or along tree lines also provided a break from the wind. Electric heaters helped keep animals’ water from freezing, but were not necessary on farms with springs, which typically do not freeze.
The worst problem farmers face now that storms have subsided is mud. Planting schedules will have to be postponed, at least for a short time, according to Roanoke County Extension Agent John Vest. He said it’s too early to tell if the soil will be too moist to till for too long after April 15, the last killing frost date.
“It’s muddy right now, but hopefully it will dry out,” said Botetourt County Extension Agent Mike Norris. “It depends on how much moisture we have from here on out.”
The winter’s heavy precipitation may actually help area farmers. Kiser said the moisture should replenish the groundwater supply, which fell to extremely low levels in the summer and fall.
“We had such a dry fall,” he said. “We actually needed the wet weather to recharge springs and streams.”
A more negative by-product of the moisture is disease. Kiser said the ground is so saturated right now that just getting to the cattle is a chore on some days, and disease poses a serious threat to new born calves. Bacteria and viruses can enter a baby calf’s system through the navel before it dries, causing life-threating infections. New calves should be moved to dry pasture.
“There are a lot of inconveniences dealing with the mud,” said Kiser. “It’s very important that they put the hay where it’s not as muddy.”
Farmers were spared the cost of major repairs to fencing, as the storms may have caused trees to damage railings in isolated areas, but large sections of fence were not wiped out, as would be the case after a flood. The cost of fencing repair is expected to be minimal throughout the region.
Craig farmers have been lucky so far—the winter’s extreme weather should not keep them from having a successful season this year. Things are much worse in Northern Virginia, where flooding from snowmelt is more likely, Kiser said. Even further north, farmers face up to 100 inches of accumulated snow. But flood or no flood, life will go on.
“They’ve as hard winters in the past too,” said Kiser. “Farmers tend to deal with the situation and move on.”
-Prepared by Shelly Koon
