BRANCH COUNTY, MI (WTVB) – The latest report that was issued on Thursday by the U.S. Drought Monitor shows Branch, Hillsdale and St. Joseph Counties along with a portion of Calhoun County are in a moderate drought as the planting season is approaching for agricultural interests.
A moderate drought means most crops and vegetation are stressed and well levels decline.
Some relief came overnight to the area. The M.S.U. Extension Service weather station at the Bloom Dairy Farm recorded 1.06 inches of rain between 8:00 p.m. Thursday night and 6:00 a.m. Friday morning.
Only a tenth of an inch of rain had been measured for the entire month of March at that location.
The overnight rain brought the total amount since January 1 as measured at the weather station to 1.39 inches.
The dry weather has kept area fire departments busy. The Quincy Fire Department alone has handled over a dozen field and grass fires this month.
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