As of Dec. 14, believe it or not, the Drought Monitor shows our area as unchanged. However, it’s probably safe to assume that come next Tuesday abnormally dry conditions are likely to be creeping into the area. The six to ten-day outlook (Dec. 22 to 26) indicates we are predicted to have a chance of 60% to 70% of above normal temperatures and a 40% to 50% chance of below normal precipitation. The eight to 14-day outlook (Dec. 24 to 30) indicates a continuation of this pattern. We are most definitely feeling the effects of the La Nina. Today, let’s discuss some of the less obvious potential damage from last Wednesday’s wind storm.
Unless you were in a coma, the wind event last Wednesday made a lasting impression on everyone. From structural damage to structures to wildfires and overturned semis, it was a significant weather event. One of the most noticeable effects was the poor visibility from blowing “dirt.” This did more than reduce visibility (many compared it to a Dust Bowl type event) and today let’s review what the negative consequences of this blowing soil had on producers.
First, was it a reminder of the Dust Bowl? Yes. The number one rule of wind erosion is that wet soil doesn’t blow. With the lack of moisture over that last several months in much of the state, soil was going to move. However, you hopefully noticed that fairly quickly as the wind died down, the air cleared fairly quickly. And for the most part there were no large drifts of soil as in the 1930s. Why? Research over the last 80 years has allowed us to develop much better farming techniques that help keep soil in place compared to the good old days of moldboard plowing. While not all producers, most are doing a much better job at leaving the soil covered with vegetation and residue. But there was damage to some producer fields.
Some wheat field saw damage from blowing soil particles, especially sand sized particles. Especially later planted fields that hadn’t tillered well and were lacking in residue cover. Well-established fields saw little or no damage. And many of the plants will recover with little noticeable effects. If plants were covered by soil, it may lead to some problems.
The larger effect was the loss of silt and clay particles on those fields that blew. The particles suspended in the air and that travelled were primarily clay and some silt due to their small size. Clay is the soil particle that holds water and nutrients while helping provide soil structure. Left behind are larger sand-sized particles which serve a purpose but don’t hold water or nutrients and don’t help provide soil structure. Fortunately, while intense, the event was relatively a brief event. However, if you put many of these “brief” events together, you end up with significant soil degredation.
Dr. Victor L. Martin is the agriculture instructor/coordinator for Barton Community College. He can be reached at 620-792-9207, ext. 207, or martinv@bartonccc.edu.
