{"id":740,"date":"2023-07-14T15:27:05","date_gmt":"2023-07-14T15:27:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearpartsweb.com\/?p=740"},"modified":"2025-09-22T10:31:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T15:31:48","slug":"coping-with-drought-how-farmers-can-adapt-to-a-drier-climate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearpartsllc.com\/coping-with-drought-how-farmers-can-adapt-to-a-drier-climate\/","title":{"rendered":"Coping with drought: How farmers can adapt to a drier climate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Much of America\u2019s Midwest is currently experiencing a prolonged dry spell<\/a>, with below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures resulting in worsening drought conditions.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the USDA\u2019s drought monitor as of mid-June, parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Texas were experiencing severe drought conditions with over 50% of the country\u2019s corn and soybean crop currently growing in drought areas.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even some storms with heavy rainfall have failed to make much difference in the driest places, which begs the question \u2013 is drought going to be a regular feature of US farming in the future?  How bad could it get?  And what can farmers do to mitigate against dry conditions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look at farming in drought conditions \u2013 how to maximize soil moisture, what the options are for irrigation, and what the future of farming might look like as a result of ongoing climate conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What can farmers do about drought?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s nothing a farmer can do to make it rain \u2013 but there are many steps farmers can take to address the problem of low precipitation.  These include measures like artificial irrigation, soil enhancement, erosion prevention and careful crop selection.  It\u2019s worth noting that in extreme drought conditions, finding enough water to irrigate crops can be a challenge. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the measures in more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the main methods of soil irrigation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are lots of different methods of providing water to dry soil during a drought using irrigation systems.  Some systems \u2013 such as overhead sprinkler systems – are high cost and high-tech, and most often used for specialized crops with low drought tolerance.  Other methods are more cost effective and easier to apply across large acreages, like some of these tried and trusted methods:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Surface irrigation<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Surface irrigation methods are some of the most traditional and involve simply flooding water onto the surface of the soil and allowing it to absorb.  Methods include furrow irrigation and border irrigation, where water is diverted into soil \u2018troughs\u2019 so it can\u2019t run off before being absorbed.  Surface irrigation is low tech so it can be used on very large acreages, but it requires a lot of water, and doesn\u2019t deliver targeted irrigation to the plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Center pivot irrigation<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Center pivot irrigation is used for large farms because it can cover big areas efficiently.  A sprinkler system is mounted on wheeled towers which roll in a circular pattern around a central \u2018pivot\u2019, which is the water source.  Plants are then irrigated by the overhead sprinklers.  These systems have led to the emergence of circular crop fields all over America, although they can be adapted for rectangular fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drip irrigation<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Drip irrigation is when a farmer runs a network of pipes or tubes through a field.  The pipes have holes that drip feed water close to where the emerging plants are.  This system is relatively low tech and low cost, and delivers targeted moisture directly to the plant so it uses less water.  However, it may not be practical to use across very large areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Micro sprinkler<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like drip irrigation, micro sprinkler irrigation involves the use of a pipe network but instead of dripping out of holes in the pipe, the water is delivered through a series of small sprinkler attachments.  These provide a very fine spray of water that is precisely targeted to the plant, making them very water efficient \u2013 but not very cost-effective across large acreages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sub-surface irrigation<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sub-surface irrigation is similar to drip irrigation except that the pipes for delivering the water are buried underground.  This has some big advantages in that the moisture is delivered directly to the roots of the plant, and also because evaporation is kept to a minimum because the water is applied below the surface.  It\u2019s not very high-tech, but can be disruptive to install and requires careful monitoring to ensure soil does not become waterlogged.  Care must also be taken not to disturb or damage the pipes during future planting cycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are the alternatives to soil irrigation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Artificial soil irrigation methods aren\u2019t always very practical in modern day crop farming.  The vast acreages involved make watering plants via a network of sprinklers or pipes very expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, farmers must look for ways to preserve the moisture that\u2019s already in the soil so that plants have the best possible chance of survival, even when it doesn\u2019t rain for long periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can farmers conserve soil moisture?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In order to retain moisture in the soil, it\u2019s important to preserve both the structure and the content of that soil.  The more organic matter soil contains, the better it is at absorbing and retaining moisture.  Undisturbed soil has its own structure \u2013 a complex network of channels that allow moisture and nutrients to be moved around and stored.  Preserving the soil in the best possible condition is the key to preventing moisture loss.  Here\u2019s a look at some ways farmers can optimise soil condition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No-till systems<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In no-till systems, the soil is not plowed or turned over, so its natural structure is preserved. This means that all the tiny pores and channels in the soil that are used to store water remain intact, and can be accessed by the roots of young plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cover cropping<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The pressures of modern farming have led to the \u2018supersizing\u2019 of the industry \u2013 it\u2019s more economical to farm vast swathes of land using huge 100ft machines that can do more work in a single pass.  But these practices have meant the loss of natural hedgerows, woodlands and other windbreaks that are not only important for biodiversity, but also for moisture conservation.  A field surrounded by tall trees has its own microclimate \u2013 natural shade slows the evaporation of moisture, while tree canopies stop the wind from carrying away moist air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Selecting crops for dry climates<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the best things farmers can do to mitigate for drought conditions is grow crops that are naturally adapted to dry conditions.  These types of crops will require less irrigation and be less vulnerable to pests and disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crops that cope well with dry conditions typically have deep roots that allow them to access moisture locked away in lower soil levels.  Science has led to the development of new varieties of staple crops like corn and soya that are better adapted to drought conditions.  But there are many crops that are naturally able to cope with dry soils, and many believe we should be looking into these as a more sustainable food source for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These crops include cowpeas (black eyed peas), sorghum, alfalfa and groundnuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do if you are concerned about drought<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There isn\u2019t anything farmers can do that will prevent a drought or make it rain.  But there are things you can do to be better prepared, and to sustain their farms through prolonged dry periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n