Drought
Cotton planting sits at 7% nationwide, on track with the average, and as drought blankets the home of what’s known as the largest cotton patch in the country, dwindling crop outlooks are feeding cotton prices.
USDA’s first Crop Progress Report of the year showed only 27% of the nation’s winter wheat crop is rated “good,” far below the trade’s expectations. The numbers show the battle against drought is brutal in winter wheat.
Colorado farmer Brian Brooks thinks 80% of the dryland winter wheat in his area may not survive, as some acres didn’t even sprout. Prevent plant for spring may be his only option without moisture in the coming weeks.
Drought covering the continental U.S. grew by 2 points this week, now covering nearly 60% of the country. As the drought grips the Wheat Belt and key areas for cattle production, it’s creating concern for 2022.
More than 70% of the country is still covered in drought. And while the latest winter storm was packed with needed moisture for some areas, it didn’t blanket every area needing moisture to restore depleted soils.
Despite frigid temperatures and large accumulations of snow, official forecasts are pointing towards above-normal temperatures in the months ahead.
As California farmers’ try to battle back from extreme drought, hope is coming in the form of snow. The state’s average snow water equivalent percentage of snowpack jumped from 19% on December 10 to 98% today.
California could see monumental rain and snow this week. The powerful storm is expected to drench the West Coast, as forecasters say the system could bring a month’s worth of rain in a matter of days.
Federal officials announced this week mandatory water cuts to the Colorado River, marking the first federal water cuts, and it’s the first-ever water shortage for a river that serves 40 million people in the West.
An unprecedented heat wave and drought in the Pacific Northwest is damaging white wheat coveted by Asian buyers and forcing fruit farm workers to harvest in the night to salvage crops and avoid deadly heat.
USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says unfavorable weather means everything from barley to spring and durum wheat are getting scorched this year. Crop condition ratings continue to tumble as dryness and heat persist.
Drought conditions are holding tight in the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, Northern Plains, and Upper Midwest, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor.
AgDay’s Clinton Griffiths reports that evaporation has increased the salinity in stock dams in South Dakota, some to lethal levels for livestock.
Rains continue to fall across portions of the Midwest this week, a sign one ag meteorologist says could mean Midwestern drought conditions have peaked. However, the news isn’t as promising for the northern Corn Belt.
Brazil’s worst water crisis in almost a century will impact river navigation and make transportation of goods more expensive in the world’s largest exporter of commodities ranging from soybeans to coffee and sugar.
The dire drought situation is one USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey thinks could last through at least the remainder of 2021. Forecasts also point to a drier weather pattern returning for Texas and the Plains.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly 10% of the contiguous U.S. is now under an “exceptional drought,” which is the highest the rate has been since 2011.
Some parts of Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska saw precipitation this past week, but dry weather prevails in many areas.
Federal and state water projects say they will provide little to no irrigation water to many agricultural customers, so farmers must calculate how much food they can grow with their limited supplies.
The USDA Crop Progress Report revealed 70% of South Dakota’s subsoil moisture is considered short to very short. One South Dakota farmer says it’s a dire situation, one keeping him from planting his corn crop yet.
Drier weather helped aid major planting progress for U.S. farmers last week, but it didn’t help the topsoil moisture situation. USDA’s Crop Progress report indicates 55% of the U.S. topsoil is considered ‘adequate.’
Much of the Ohio Valley states, and Iowa to Lower Michigan, had little to no precipitation this past week.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows from North Dakota to Texas, all the way west to California, the most severe levels of drought didn’t ease across the U.S. this past week.
Could 2021 match the record-dry pattern of 2012?
North Dakota just endured its driest September to March ever on record. On Thursday, Governor Doug Burgum declared a state of emergency due to drought. Farmers are now forced to make tough decisions, early.
The western half of the country continues to see little moisture, and after a year of record government payments to agriculture, farm groups fear financial assistance this year will be tough to get passed in Washington.
2021 is off to a dry start and one meteorologist sees dry conditions expanding in the West over the next few months. So, could 2021 be a repeat of 2012? USDA meteorologist weighs in.
Look to see your risk for a dry start to planting season.
The latest drought monitor shows a dramatic shift. A year ago, 100% of the state was drought free. And today, 100% of North Dakota is seeing some level of drought; a concern for farmers who fear drought will linger.
“Over the last 20 years, we’ve never seen a drought situation looking like this through February,” says Nutrien Ag Solutions’ Eric Snodgrass.