What are some local superstitious beliefs or practices that may have a scientific explanation?

Answer 1

Farmers will tell you that if cattle in the field are on their chest (laying down) there will be rain. Turns out cattle are sensitive to changes in barometric presume and are more often than not right about rain.

Planting crops by the phases of the moon has been practiced for millennia and there is some scientific study that shows it does seem to work.

Farmers can tell you that if you check your chickens when it rains you can tell how long the rain will last. If chickens roost up and stay out of the rain, go back inside and have a coffee, the rain won't last long. If the chickens are out in the rain you might as well grab your slicker and get out there too, the rain will last the better part of the day. I've been watching this one for years, and so far the chickens have been right.

Most well drillers have on staff or have "on call" a "water witch" or dowser. It makes finding water much easier. The dowsing society in our area has very few "misses" to its history.