This summer’s extreme heat and lack of rain are hurting more than just rice crops—they’re damaging fruit and livestock, too. Farmers are worried that such weather could become the norm and are calling for long-term countermeasures.
In Fukushima, peach farmer Soichi Ota began harvesting the popular “Akatsuki” variety early in the morning on August 2. He said many of the peaches are unusually pale this year. Because of the heat, the fruit is ripening late, not coloring properly, and is smaller than usual due to the drought. His father Yoichi added, “Even the peaches are suffering from heat fatigue.”
The local JA (agricultural cooperative) says peach yields may drop because the fruit isn’t growing well. Some peaches are showing signs of a heat-related condition where the flesh turns brown inside.
JA officials say farmers might need to install irrigation systems, since hot and dry summers could become the new normal.
Other areas are also seeing problems. In Yamagata, apples and grapes are sunburned or not growing properly, which could lead to lower harvests.
The heat is affecting dairy farms, too. In Niigata, over 5,500 chickens and 3 cows had died from heat stress by July 23. Kazuaki Nakazawa, a dairy farmer in Niigata City, said his 40 cows are just like people—they get exhausted in the heat. Last summer, he lost 7 cows. When temperatures go above 25°C, cows begin to feel stressed, eat less, and lose weight.
This year, Nakazawa added a new automatic shower system to the large mist fans he installed five years ago. So far, no cows have died, but he’s worried the ongoing heat could lead to fewer pregnancies and lower milk production. “I just hope the heat ends soon,” he said.
by MagazineKey4532