TERRELL COUNTY, GA (WALB) -
Thursday, the rains came to Terrell County.
Like they have for most of this week.
While it might be an inconvenience for most of us, for farmers, this is the elixir of life.
David Wagner, the UGA Extension Agent for Terrell County said, "I had a lady who said that it was a god send."
While the rain hasn't been universal: "not everyone has gotten as much rainfall as they'd like," said Wagner.
The totals for the last week have been fairly impressive.
"There are many areas that have gotten an inch or more of rain," said Wagner.
But this week's rain has been especially important for the corn crop.
"Corn is at the critical stage of tassling, silking and pollenating - it's at peak water use right now," said Wagner.
It will need plenty of water to take it to harvest time.
Wagner said, "we're probably looking at four tenths of an inch a day right now."
The rain that we've picked up over the last few days in South Georgia has really benefited farm fields like this one.
The big question for farmers now is: will we continue to see the rains and what will their crop look like?
Agricultural experts are optimistic about the harvest because of the long range forecast.
Not only is the forecast a wet one for the next seven days, but the La Nina pattern that has kept us dry for several years is expected to weaken as well.
"It's just been such a prolonged period of dry weather where this La Nina effect was keeping us from getting those good winter rains to replenish the sub-soil moisture," said Wagner.
Next up for South Georgia farmers are cotton and peanuts. They'll also need plenty of water as they reach their peak growing time.
"You start needing that three tenths or more of water per day, similar for peanuts."
Despite the wild weather this year, yields are setting up to be good for all three of the big crops in our area.
"Everything looks good at this point," said Wagner.
Barring any really rough weather, it looks like the South Georgia earth will yield a good harvest this year.
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