Weather, other obstacles affect local farmers
JEFFERSON TWP — When discussing the upcoming growing season at Thiele Dairy Farm, sixth-generation dairy and crop farmer, James Thiele, recalls his father saying, “farming is like being on a roller coaster, it has its ups and downs, and you can’t get off in the middle of the ride.”
That’s why Pennsylvania weather doesn’t surprise him.
The Pittsburgh region saw a record temperature on May 2. The National Weather Service reported a high of only 44 degrees at Pittsburgh International Airport, which breaks the previous record of a high of only 47 degrees recorded in 1897. On the other hand, temperatures are expected to rise this week to the high 70s, with 79 degrees forecast Thursday, May 11, and 77 degrees Saturday, May 13.
Thiele remarked that a mild winter and relatively dry conditions have affected his planting schedule at the farm, which has been operating since 1868, and the recent rains were needed, adding that it is “too early to tell.”
John Mark Miller, field and forage crops educator of Penn State Extension in Butler County, said “the very dry winter impacted soil moisture levels,” adding the recent rain has helped.
