2022 Arkansas heat and drought results in some crop losses

Severe drought and some of the highest temperatures seen in years caused Arkansas fruit and nut crops to suffer losses in 2022 compared to the previous year.

That’s according to the University of Arkansas Extension office.

July and August had less than average rainfall throughout the state, resulting in severe or moderate drought conditions. The National Weather service says July was one of the hottest and driest months on record

Arkansas growers saw a 50% decrease in yields of blackberries, also a shorter growing seasn for strawberries,  along with an October freeze that decreased the quality of pecans.

However, harvests of grapes, peaches and muscadines did not suffer and were actually up compared to 2021.