Thankfully, a thunderstorm is bringing much-needed rain.  We've had very little rain yet this Spring, and only a couple of light frosts since mid-March.  The ground is quite hard and dry. Mud rings are near the surface again in ponds, and wet-weather branches still haven't run since early last Spring. Pastures are beautifully green, but forage growth remains very slow for lack of timely and adequate rains. The first hay cutting will likely be light, and Summer forage will may very well be less than normal. In our general area, an unusual number of trees of various species are dying or have died since last Fall; according to a forestry specialist, many of these losses are directly attributable to the extended drought.  Trees of all ages are affected, including many that would have made marketable timber. Windy conditions have prevailed in recent weeks to compound the drying effect, but fire risk is mitigated by green foliage and forage.