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RELIEF SHOULD BE ON THE WAY FOR DROUGHT STRICKEN
PARTS OF TEXAS AND CALIFORNIA, WHILE GOOD
GROWING CONDITIONS PREVAIL IN THE REST OF THE NATION.
SO SAYS U-S DEPARMENT OF AGRICULTURE METEOROLOGIST
BRAD RIPPEY.
Brad Rippey: We look real good in the Midwest and
the Plains for helping crops to approach maturity
but we're still concerned obviously with drought in
Texas and California. Usually from about October
to April we would expect to see increased
rainfall in Texas and hopefully that will start
to knock out the drought in that part of the country.
IN THE MIDWEST, A COOL SUMMER HAS LED TO
IDEAL GROWING CONDITIONS. HOWEVER, THAT COOL WEATHER
MEANS HARVEST TIME COULD BE ONE TO THREE WEEKS LATER.
AND THAT COULD EXPOSE CROPS TO FREEZING TEMPERATURES.
BUT A COOPERATIVE JET STREAM COULD HELP FARMERS OUT.
Brad Rippey: It looks like the jet stream is going to
lift very far to the north and provide a period of warm,
dry weather. Just what the doctor ordered for
crops in the Midwest and across the plains.
AND IN THE SOUTH, A DROUGHT THERE IS PRETTY
MUCH A DISTANT MEMORY.
Brad Rippey: We've seen a relatively good growing
season in the South as well.
The cotton crop was hit early on in June by some
heat and some dryness, but conditions have been
pretty favorable since then and we've seen conditions
to where the cotton rebound to about this time last year.
We've got at least an average cotton crop in the South.
IN WASHINGTON D-C FOR THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
I'M BOB ELLISON.