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Drought conditions force Maine farmers to take drastic measures

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


Crops in Maine have been feeling the heat recently due to drought conditions across the state.

The National Weather Service reports that the entire state is in a moderate drought as of Friday, with northern areas “abnormally dry”. Significant rain isn’t forecasted for the next few weeks as well, a contrast to the wet and cool start to summer in the Pine Tree State.

These conditions have led to many plants like blueberries and other fruits drying up or dying, and some farmers in the state having to pick and choose which crops live and die to conserve water. In Aroostook County potato growers are reportedly irrigating “nonstop” to help their crops during a critical period in their growth, and farms without irrigation seeing their potatoes die.

The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that the next level of drought would create even more problems, such as specialty crops getting affected by the heat, irrigation ponds drying up, and trees becoming more vulnerable to insect damage.

To read the original Bangor Daily News article, click here

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