After one of the wettest and longest winters many Oneida County residents have faced, the winter precipitation has finally begun to move the needle considering drought, indicating that the area is coming out of the severe drought conditions of the last several years.  For years, farmers and ranchers have had subpar crop yields, reduced water turns, and been forced to turn out less cattle or come home early from their summer pasture.  With the precipitation in 2023 things might be finally turning up for Oneida County’s producers.

Looking back over the 125+ years of precipitation, 2023 is beginning as one of the wettest years ever on record, tallying 3.74” precipitation above normal.  January accumulated a total precipitation of 3.34”, February closed in with 2.18”, with March accumulating an amazing 3.79”.  March 2023 will go down as the 7th wettest March in the last 129 years, coming in just over two inches above normal precipitation. 

Farmers and ranchers can’t help but feel some measure of relief after fighting such dry conditions the last several years, despite the many challenges that they have faced because of the snow fall.  Just as fast as the snow began to melt away, the green grass has been trying to make its way up.  Those fall planted crops that survived the potentially hazardous conditions and diseases are sure to have a leg up beginning this year.  With the ground moisture well ahead to begin the season, planting this season shows much more promise than it has for years.

While the significant moisture beginning this season lends to a more promising and hopeful year, questions still loom as to whether Oneida County and Idaho are clear of the drought.  Recovering from drought requires more than normal or adequate precipitation, in order to restore not only soil moisture but also reservoirs above and below ground, river depths, and snowpack.  

Recovering from drought isn’t only about restoring water conditions to optimal levels, but also about returning soil health and plant productivity to normal levels as well.  Many producers were forced to over utilize much of their lands because of drought conditions, likely drawing out the time it will take for those areas to recover.  For some vegetation, it can take upwards of five years to be established at normal levels again.  

As farmers and ranchers move through this year working to recover from the drought, sound management strategies will help them return their lands to normal production much more quickly.  Producers should consider evaluating what crops will benefit the soil or can help retain water.  Cattle ranchers should appraise whether there are pastures or rangelands that can or should have reduced grazing this season.

The outlook for the 2023 growing and harvest season is looking up for farmers and ranchers that have been struggling for several years.  With well above average levels, coupled with sound management strategies, producers are sure to see water levels, soil health and plant growth bounce back to help them have a successful harvest this year.