Southeast Alabama Agriculture Statistics

Climate
   With respect to climate, the district, which is located in the coastal plain of Alabama, has a temperate but rather humid climate typical of the southeastern United States, with average rainfall of about 60 inches per year. Severe droughts are rare; however, extended periods (4-6 weeks) without measurable rainfall are common almost each year, which contributes to depressed yields on many field crops.

   The mean average temperature is 66° , with an average of 30 days per year with minimum temperatures at or below 32° and 95 to 120 days per year with temperatures at or above 90° . This pattern translates into a longer growing season in South Alabama of approximately 235 days as compared to North Alabama's growing season of approximately 175 days.

   According to the Soil Conservation Service and Auburn University, the district comprises the largest contiguous area of prime farmlands in Alabama. The predominate soil types are: Troup-Luverne-Dothan-Orangeburg, which is well drained, deep and moderately deep soils on gently sloping to sloping ridgetops and sideslopes. The Luverne soils are clayey and Troup soils have thick (40-60 inches) sandy surface layers. These soils are found in Eastern and Northern Barbour County, Eastern and Western Henry County, and over most of Dale County.

   Predominate soils found in Central and Southern Henry County and in much of Central and Southern Coffee County and Northern Covington County are Orangeburg-Red Bay-Dothan-Troup, which are well drained deep soils on broad gently sloping to sloping ridgetops. Dothan-Orangeburg-Esto, well drained deep soils on broad nearly level to gently sloping plateaus, are found covering Houston County, Eastern and Western Geneva County and Southern Covington County.

   Problems associated with soils in the district are erosion, sedimentation, low fertility, and doughtiness. Sheet erosion of soils in the district is due primarily to poor farming practices. Low fertility is characteristic of Coastal Plains soils because subsoil's contain a high sand content that causes rapid leaching of mineral elements. Water holding capacities are also low for the same reason, resulting in drought damage to crops in certain areas during times of either limited or unevenly distributed rainfall. Most of the problems associated with soil conditions can be overcome with proper planning and conservation.