Below-normal precipitation totals were recorded during the 2001 growing season at the Armstrong and Neely-Kinyon farms, for the second consecutive year. March through October precipitation totaled 22.53 inches, or 5.57 inches below the area’s 30-year norm. Most of the precipitation shortfall occurred during the summer months. The July rainfall total of 1.06 inches was the driest in the farm’s nine-year history. Temperatures for the cropping season averaged near normal, but large monthly deviations occurred during spring and fall. Maximum daily temperature exceeded 90^o F on 20 summer days.