(AG Insider) The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse passing over North America on April 8 is a rare occurrence that brings excitement and some amazing changes to the weather over the course of about four hours. Besides the obvious change in daylight, the temperature could drop, humidity could rise, and wind patterns may change. These brief but extreme fluctuations in our local weather may lead you to wonder, how will the eclipse affect agriculture?
With total eclipses being so rare, there has been little research on how they affect agriculture. However, they are known to affect animal behavior.
More intelligent animals typically have more of a reaction to eclipses according to Dr. Duncan, faculty in the Astrophysics and Planetary Science Department at the University of Colorado. Animals may associate the dark with nightfall, cows at pasture may return to the barn, and nocturnal and crepuscular animals may start to emerge. Bees have been found to stop buzzing and returning to their hives during eclipses. A study at Indiana University found that some animals may experience increased anxiety and behave as though they are anticipating a storm. Animal behavior may be influenced by the eclipse, but it will not pose any significant problem to farmers.
Crops will not be affected by the eclipse, as most farmers in the area will not have planted annual crops yet, and only a few hours of daylight will be lost. Plants such as fruit trees that are in the path of an eclipse will slow photosynthesis rates temporarily, but this will not cause any damage to the plant or the coming harvest. The temperature may drop up to 10 degrees, humidity may rise, and wind patterns may change, but none of these will be extreme enough or persistent enough to affect plant life.
The eclipse will not affect farmers’ day-to-day operations apart from the obvious lack of light, but some farms will be taking advantage of this rare occurrence with agritourism events. Agritourism, any agriculturally based business that brings visitors to a farm or ranch, is a large part of the agricultural industry in New York. Around 500,000 visitors are estimated to be coming to the Rochester area, and agritourism in our region has options for viewing the eclipse!
In Ontario County one may enjoy the “Alpacalipse” and Lazy Acre Alpacas in West Bloomfield and view this wild, natural phenomenon with alpacas. Tickets come with a cup of feed and eclipse glasses; pack a lunch, or grab one at the food truck on site. There will be a viewing party at Embers Rising Farm in Clifton Springs with local vendors, and you can find more information on eclipse happenings in the Finger Lakes area at https://www.visitfingerlakes.com/eclipse-2024/
Wherever and however you choose to spend the eclipse, be sure to take caution. With the change in weather patterns and increased traffic, anticipate delays coming and going from viewing areas. Be sure to wear solar glasses to protect your eyes while you enjoy this spectacular event. The Pick’n Patch in Stanley is warming up for the eclipse with a “Donut and Darkness” pre order package that includes a dozen donuts and four safety-rated eclipse glasses. You are warned, be safe and have fun…
