Dry Summer In Conn.

Not Boosting Crop Prices

HARTFORD (AP) — One Connecticut farmer says the dry summer will not lead to higher crop prices.

The Hartford Courant reports that Tony Botticello of Botticello Farms in Manchester says the dry spell has meant more work for him. Farmers must irrigate and pump water from the nearby Connecticut River, which forces some farmers to work as late as midnight.

Andy Mussoline, a meteorologist at AccuWeather.com, says the Hartford area has received 28 percent of typical rainfall through July 20.

The US drought monitor by the National Integrated Drought Information System, the northern half of the state is “abnormally dry,” which is the lowest of five drought condition levels.

Bruce Wittchen, an environmental analyst at the state Office of Policy and Management, says the state has not declared a drought advisory.