NEW HOPE, N.C.—
For the first time in nearly a month, Nathan Johnson looks over his Randolph County field and likes what he sees. Johnson's corn and soy crops received nearly three inches of rain overnight and into Monday morning, the first time it's rained on his farm since June 16."Tickled to see it come through," Johnson said Tuesday. "(I) hope everyone got some."
The signs of parched corn stalks are still evident, though, with yellow leaves poking out among the green. But Johnson said there's been a big change overnight.
"It was rolled tight yesterday. It was hot. It's amazing how it looks today versus yesterday," he said. "It would have been a short crop without the rain."
After a spring full of rain, the dry spell has also begun to take its toll on area lakes. Water levels at Greensboro's reservoirs are down -- Lake Brandt by 10 inches and Lake Townsend more than 24 inches. In High Point, Oak Hollow Lake -- which was at full pond less than a week ago -- is now down 5 inches.
Field crop agent Troy Coggins explains that corn needs the rain for pollination and crops that are harvested later in the season need the rain to mature and fill out.
Now, the rain-soaked fields need a break -- but not a monthlong stretch of dry weather.
"It would be nice to have more rain," said Johnson. "No storms, but it would be a good thing to get more showers to keep the good growing season."
