Drought

Drought and the pine beetle infestation in Mississippi in 2023 ravaged the state’s forests, leading the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency to declare a state of emergency. Landowners may receive up to $500,000 each to save private tree farms through a forest restoration program. WAPT Channel 16 (Jackson, Miss.), April 17, 2024

Cameron County has issued a disaster declaration due to a critical water shortage. Brownsville issued an ordinance prohibiting the construction of new car washes within five miles of each other. Texas Public Radio (San Antonio), April 17, 2024

A Sharp County cattle farmer felt that he was behind in hay production with grasses that were planted this winter not growing. Row crop growers in northeast Arkansas have found the dry weather of the past few weeks to be helpful and letting them get crops planted early. With seeds in the ground, rain was needed to get them to germinate. KAIT 8 (Jonesboro, Ark.), April 15, 2024

Some drought stress was observed among the wheat crop in central Kansas.

A Hidalgo County judge issued a disaster declaration on Tuesday, April 9 concerning the ongoing drought. Due to “the prolonged period of exceptional drought conditions,” the declaration stated the drought conditions “pose an imminent and continuous threat of widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property and to public health, municipal water supplies and agricultural production.” The declaration took effect immediately and will last for seven days. The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court may extend the declaration at their next meeting on April 16. ValleyCentral.com (Brownsville, Texas), April 9, 2024

All commercial and recreational salmon fishing off the coast of California was canceled for the second consecutive year for just the fourth time in state history, due to the meager salmon population. The Pacific Fishery Management Council, the authority responsible for setting Pacific salmon seasons, voted unanimously for the closure. The fishing industry supports many thousand jobs and was still feeling the effects of the shutdown last year. In 2023, a little more than 6,100 fall-run Chinook, returned to the upper Sacramento River to spawn, according to a February report by the fishery council. The average between 1996 and 2005 was more than 175,000 fish. The council also recommends that the California Fish and Game Commission ban river fishing. The Associated Press (New York), April 10, 2024

The Edwards Aquifer Authority announced a change in water restrictions from Stage 2 to Stage 3 as the level of the J-17 index well in Bexar County fell. The 10-day rolling average level of the well was 639.9 feet above mean sea level, triggering Stage 3 when the average dropped below 640 feet. Permit holders can pump just 65% of their usual water allotments. In late January, EAA went from Stage 3 to Stage 2. San Antonio Express-News (Texas), April 4, 2024

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources cautioned boaters that launching vessels could be challenging this spring due to lower than normal water levels in many lakes and rivers. DNR crews were repairing boat ramps damaged over winter and will extend boat ramps when possible. Those with larger boats will have to pay particular attention to ramp lengths and water depths. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (St. Paul, Minn.), April 4, 2024

The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District went from Stage 3 Critical Drought to Stage 2 Alarm Drought on March 1. The district entered Stage 3 in October 2022 and went to Stage 4 Exceptional Drought in December 2023. Several inches of rain in the first two months of 2024 enhanced the flow at Barton Springs and helped refill the Edwards and Trinity Aquifers and area creeks. KVUE News (Austin, Texas), March 1, 2024 The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District board of directors voted to move to a Stage 4 Exceptional Drought declaration, the first time such a declaration had ever been made. Stage 4 would mean significant pumping restrictions and permanent reclassification for certain District permittees beginning Jan. 1, 2024. KXAN (Austin, Texas), Dec 15, 2023

Water restrictions were in effect for the Tama County fire departments regarding conserving water during training. A mandatory water conservation order has been in effect for the county since March 13. Times-Republican (Marshalltown, Iowa), April 3, 2024

The Poweshiek Water Association issued a mandatory water conservation order for Tama and Amana Systems. PWA stated that that affected customers will receive a letter with more information. Three new wells are expected to be operational by June 1. The need for the conservation order will be reassessed when the new wells have become operational. PWA issued a voluntary water conservation order in June 2023 due to the dry conditions the previous month. KCRG (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), March 15, 2024

Although the Texas Panhandle remains very dry, snow events brought on by cold fronts delivered needed moisture to small grain and other species planted for cover and forage, dual-purpose or grain production. The effect of recent wind events was noticeable on fields lacking cover, whether a currently growing crop or carryover residue from the previous season. Wind speeds were generally low most days in March, reducing evaporative water loss at the soil surface and any supplemental irrigation efforts needed to increase soil moisture. Spring field work involving tillage, fertilizer additions and preemergent herbicide applications was underway on various farms in the area as growers prepared to plant warm-season crops later in April. All dryland wheat was suffering due to drought. Producers were actively irrigating in preparation for planting corn and cotton. Producers continued supplemental feeding for cattle. Rangelands were starting to green up. Overall, soil conditions were reported to be adequate to short. Pasture and rangeland were reported to be fair to very poor. Winter wheat was reported good to poor. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 2, 2024 The Texas Panhandle experienced mild temperatures and no precipitation. Corn, cotton and sorghum preplant activities continued. Wheat was beginning to grow rapidly. Precipitation was needed. Cattle were being supplemented on rangeland. Rangeland and pasture green-up started. Overall, soil conditions were reported to be adequate to short. Pasture and rangelands were reported to be fair to very poor. Winter wheat was reported good to poor. Livestock operators in several counties were beginning the recovery process after the devastating fires that began in late February. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 19, 2024

There was no precipitation with a recent cold front in Far West Texas, and rain was desperately needed to improve rangeland, soil moisture and winter wheat conditions. Most wheat showed signs of drought stress. Wheat that was not harvested this season has been terminated to use as a cover crop for cotton. The only wheat remaining was a few acres of irrigated wheat. Fieldwork slowed down tremendously, and sprayers were running. Corn was coming along fine, as the cold did not affect it. Producers were preparing for watermelon planting. Pecan trees have started to get leaves. Livestock producers continued supplementing with hay and grain to keep livestock in fair condition. Some producers were scrambling for what to do with their livestock and finding other means to keep cattle fed and watered. Producers were preparing to start marking lambs. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 2, 2024 Dry and windy conditions, coupled with the wildfires in the Texas Panhandle, had producers and first responders on high alert as area rangelands had a large amount of fuel available if a wildfire occurred. A cool front entered parts of the region over the weekend and temperatures dropped into the low 50s. There was rainfall from between 0.3 inch and 1.5 inches. Wheat was growing. Producers continued preparing land for cotton crops. Pecan trees started to put on leaves. Land and stock tanks were still very dry and in poor condition. Area cattle producers were busy with the start of spring branding season. Lambing was complete and goats were expected to kid through March. Livestock were in fair condition and producers continued supplemental feeding. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 19, 2024 Unseasonably warm temperatures were prevalent across Far West Texas, with highs in the mid to upper 80s. However, a strong midweek cool front brought colder temperatures and significant moisture. Lows dropped down to the freezing mark in the upper elevations. We received between 0.4″ and 1 inch of rain, which helped freshen the ground for laying off rows and greening the wheat. Significantly more moisture will be needed to fill the profile for summer crops. Some producers were ready for irrigation, while most were still preparing. Some pecan producers were irrigating orchards early to get a head start. The grass was starting to green up in the pastures, primarily in rights-of-way for transmission lines and pipelines where all the brush has been removed, as well as low-lying areas such as tank bottoms. Livestock were in fair condition and producers continued supplemental feeding. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 5, 2024

A few Southwest Texas counties reported an average of 1 to 2 inches of rainfall. Corn and sorghum continued to emerge with little failed germination. All row crops were reported to be in good to excellent condition. Rangeland and pasture conditions continued to improve due to mild weather and relatively wet conditions, as cool-season grasses and forbs flower and go to seed. The average cattle body condition was rated between 4 and 5. Livestock markets remained strong. Weed control and fertilization of pastures were evident. Spring shearing of sheep and goats continued. Bud break on mesquite began. Guajillo has started to emerge significantly and could greatly benefit from additional moisture. Irrigated crops were in good shape. Producers were still heavily supplementing livestock. Temperatures were within normal ranges. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 2, 2024 Weather conditions continued to be dry, with several days of windy conditions, which increased crop evapotranspiration and soil drying. Overall rainfall reported for the week ranged from 0.2 inch to 2.2 inches, with some areas receiving hail and experiencing cooler temperatures. Farmers were tilling the land in preparation for planting, with a few managing to sow seeds before the rain. Overcast weather for a few days helped alleviate conditions that would have otherwise created additional stress on the crops and soil moisture. The small rain showers did not significantly replenish subsoil moisture but may have initiated some growth in the pastures. Rangeland green-up began with wildflowers blooming. Corn planting was complete, while farmers were waiting for more rain to plant hay and milo. Hay was becoming increasingly scarce and was extremely costly. Spring shearing and late lambing and kidding continued, with livestock mostly in fair condition and under supplementation. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 19, 2024 Cool and windy conditions in Southwest Texas posed little threat to agricultural production, although dry conditions hindered further green up of cool-season forage. No precipitation was reported. Deciduous wild trees and pecans began budding and were expected to bloom in the coming weeks. Producers were starting to till their land in preparation for the planting season. Row crop production continued, and planting was expected to begin in late March. Corn planting continued. Irrigated winter wheat was in good condition. Dryland oats were a total loss, while irrigated oats were starting to head out. Pastures were green but needed more moisture to stimulate good spring growth. Coastal sandbur remained a problem, but lack of rainfall prevented most land managers from being able to apply pre-emergent herbicides. Producers were still heavily supplementing livestock and wildlife. Hay supplies were dwindling, and the body conditions of livestock and wildlife were deteriorating due to the lack of rain. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 5, 2024

Conditions were favorable in South Texas, with enough rain to encourage planting row crops and to allow pastures to green up. More rain was needed to help those pastures fully recover. Strawberry production was in full swing. Corn crops emerged while wheat and oat crops were in the dough stage. Onions and citrus were being harvested. Most cotton has been planted. Producers were busy spraying weeds, fertilizing pastures and planting hay grazers. Local beef cattle markets were sustaining average to above-average offerings of cattle with notable price increases for all classes of beef cattle. Wildlife was doing well. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 2, 2024 Weather conditions throughout South Texas were mild with scattered showers over the weekend. Strawberry production was taking place, and corn planting continued. Wheat and oat crops began heading under irrigation. Onions, citrus and cool-season vegetables were being harvested. Watermelons were being planted. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair. Bermuda grass was greening up. Stock tanks were low. Producers continued supplemental feeding for their herds. Local markets remained strong and steady for all classes of beef cattle. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 19, 2024

The fall drought in South Carolina forced an Oconee County farmer to plant her grass later than ever before in December. That grass, which would normally be six to eight inches tall, was barely two inches tall as of February 2024. The 2023 drought led her to spend $7,000 more on hay than in the year prior. Farmers attest that drought in the state began well before it was officially declared by the South Carolina Drought Response Committee. In October 2023, the committee recognized 23 of the state’s 46 counties as being in drought. But the Oconee County farmer noticed dry conditions as early as June 2023. The committee considers water levels in lakes and streams, wildfire threat level, precipitation and soil condition when monitoring drought. A grower in Greenville County planted and fertilized his pasture as usual in the fall, but the lack of soil moisture left the grass just two inches high in 2024. Greenville News (S.C.), April 2, 2024

Lake Travis was at 39% capacity and down nearly 38 feet below its historical average. The low water level was affecting business for a party boat rental company. Bookings were down about 25%, and potential water goers were concerned about safety. Boat ramps were closed due to the low water. KVUE News Online (Austin, Texas), March 29, 2024

The North Dakota Forest Service said that the fire season began the last week of February and will continue through May when green-up occurs, making it longer than normal this year. Twenty wildfires have already burned more than 500 acres. KFYR (Bismarck, N.D.), March 28, 2024

Hard freezes and drought in Louisiana reduced honey production in 2023. KADN-TV (Lafayette, La.), March 28, 2024

Some Micronesian islands, including Elato, Satawal and Lamotrek, experienced taro and coconuts reportedly drying up, water scarcity, low water wells or low drinking water. The Guam Daily Post (Tamuning, Guam), March 29, 2024