Jersey officially in a drought

The dry conditions – here in a field in St Saviour – are causing problems for Jersey Royal growers.

FARMERS are praying for rain to boost the struggling Jersey Royal crop as the Island officially enters a drought.
The lucrative industry has suffered a tough year, as the freezing cold winter delayed crops by several weeks. And although the Arctic air is now a distant memory, farmers are facing new problems caused by the dry and warm weather.
William Church, commercial manager at the Jersey Royal Company, said that rain was desperately needed to boost the size and quantity of potatoes.
But the farmers may be facing a long wait for rain. Jersey officially entered ‘absolute drought’ conditions – where there is no rain for 15 consecutive days – at 10 am today, and there is no sign of any significant rain in the near future. (from JEP)