Drought

The production outlook for the U.S. winter wheat crop is the lowest in recent years, with USDA records dating to 1986. Crops in parts of the Great Plains were in especially bad condition due to drought. One wheat grower in southwest Kansas expects to abandon 85% of the crop, making this his farm’s smallest harvest as the crop barely emerged. U.S. wheat stocks are projected to drop to a nine-year low by June. A smaller crop could lead to higher bread and staple food prices. Successful Farming (Des Moines, Iowa), May 8, 2023 Winter wheat production in Oklahoma was mixed this year. Some fields looked good, while other fields did not even have a stand. Some of the wheat may be cut for hay as the demand for feed supplies was high, due to so many drought-damaged pastures. A Kansas wheat grower abandoned 4,000 acres, due to drought, because the crop never emerged. At least one South Dakota wheat grower has opted to plant corn since his winter wheat failed. RFD TV (Nashville, Tenn.), May 5, 2023

Hard red winter wheat in southwest Kansas was tiny with poorly developed roots and was not useful for grazing cattle and may not produce grain worthy of harvest. The intense drought in the region has led farmers to slaughter a quarter to a third of their cattle for lack of pasture and feed. Hundreds of acres of thirsty corn were left unharvested, still standing in the field to prevent soil erosion. Cattle were being fed hay and were also grazing on land idled through the Conservation Reserve Program. E&E News (Arlington, Va.), May 4, 2023

Laredo was still in Stage 1 of its Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan and was nearing the water level in the Amistad Reservoir that would trigger Stage 2, which would begin at 25%. Amistad Reservoir was at 33.9% capacity. Laredo Morning Times (Texas), May 5, 2023

The level of Lake Mead may rise between an additional 5 to 25 feet by the end of the year, with the increase likely close to 18 feet. The higher water level will offer better access to water for wildlife, which will probably increase survival rates for most animals and fish, too. The Willow Beach Fish Hatchery closed in 2022 when the water fell below its intake valve. The water level has risen up to the valve again, which is about 1,050 feet in elevation, but the Nevada Department of Wildlife is replacing the old valve and will reopen the hatchery in 2024. KSNV-TV NBC (Las Vegas, Nev.), May 2, 2023

A Rocking ham County farmer irrigated strawberries and other crops and really appreciated the rain that fell over the weekend and eased the dryness somewhat. WHSV-TV (Harrisonburg, Va.), May 4, 2023

Pasture growth in central Missouri has been slower than usual, due to cool, dry weather. A livestock producer anticipates needing to purchase hay later in the season to cover his forage needs. A livestock producer and farmer in southwest Missouri claimed that spring has been like last year in terms of weather and dry pastures. Grass growth was lagging, and without rain soon, pastures will wither and not grow back. The cool season hay will not grow well once the weather warms. Ponds were extremely low. Cattle were being culled, and more culling may be in the offing if there isn’t significant hay growth. Feeder calves will likely be taken to market in the next 30 days. Brownfield Ag News (Jefferson City, Mo.), May 4, 2023

Some rain fell across parts of Kansas at the end of April, but it was not enough to ease the drought. Crops yields continue to decline with the lack of rain. A Garden Plain winter wheat grower usually gets about 75 bushels per acre. A farmer near Mount Hope has run his irrigation system five times so far, which is a record for him. Most years he doesn’t need to use it. KSN-TV News 3 (Wichita, Kan.), May 2, 2023

Winter wheat could be abandoned in parts of South Dakota as the crop was struggling. It is still too early to plant the next crop, and farmers will have to make their decisions on whether to abandon the wheat and plant something else in the next week. Brownfield Ag News (Jefferson City, Mo.), May 1, 2023

A fruit grower in Citrus County stated that the lack of precipitation has prevented the fruit from growing as large as it might have with more rain, so he irrigates. The precipitation deficit in northwest Citrus County is 23 to 24 inches over the past year. Bay News 9 (St. Petersburg, Fla.), May 3, 2023

Clyde was in a stage 1 drought contingency water conservation notice as the level of Clyde Lake continued to fall. Water customers were encouraged to reduce their water use by 10%. The level was 10 feet, 2 inches below the spillway, making it less than 50% full. Motorized boats may not be used on the lake any longer, due to the shallow water level. Clyde Lake is the main supplier for Callahan County. Because the lake is low, the City of Clyde will leave the splash pad off to conserve water. KTAB TV 32 & KRBC TV 9 (Abilene, Texas), May 3, 2023

The city of St. Petersburg lowered its reclaimed water pressure flow during the heat of the day to conserve water. Residents would still have enough water for irrigating during the night and early morning when the water pressure is normal. Lawn watering is permitted three times weekly during certain hours. April and May are the months when reclaimed water demand is at its highest while supply is lowest. Tampa Bay Times (Fla.), May 2, 2023

The level of Medina Lake has been dropping for several years and is presently at 5% of capacity, leaving plenty of room for cattle to graze the lakebed. Newsweek (New York), May 2, 2023

Water customers in northern Pinellas County must limit sprinkler use as the drought affecting the Tampa Bay area worsens. The county utilities department announced that outdoor watering may be done just once weekly, rather than thrice. The reclaimed water in storage has been used as demand for it has been higher due to low rainfall. Fines for violating the water restrictions begin at $193. Tampa Bay Times (Fla.), April 21, 2023

The Papillion Fire Department shared tips on fire safety as drought gripped much of Nebraska, increasing the fire danger. A recent wildfire forced the closure of Highway 370 in Papillion. The fire department has also fought more fires than usual for this point in the year. KMTV 3 News Now (Omaha, Neb.), April 11, 2023

Human remains found in July and August 2022 at Lake Mead were determined to belong to a Las Vegas man who went missing while fishing in July 1998. The low level of the lake exposed more shoreline near the Boulder Beach swimming area. Another set of remains found behind Hoover Dam was identified and belong to a North Las Vegas man who drowned in April 1974. The body in the barrel that was found in May 2022 near a popular swimming and boating area has not yet been identified. The clothing, however, appears to date to the mid-1970s to early 1980s. The Associated Press (Las Vegas), April 27, 2023

Rio Grande Valley farmers were concerned about having enough moisture in the ground to get the cotton crop sprouted. There seemed to be just enough moisture, but then farmers were stressed, knowing that the crop needed more moisture to keep going. ValleyCentral.com (Harlingen, Texas), April 27, 2023

The driest April on record for parts of central Kansas has farmers hauling water and using last year’s hay. KWCH 12 (Wichita, Kan.), April 21, 2023

The Division of Wildlife Resources recommended a statewide total of 71,600 deer tags this year, a decrease of 2% from last year. Years of dry conditions in Utah have hurt mule deer numbers, which have stayed below state wildlife officials’ population targets. The extremely heavy snowpack of this past winter killed many deer and left others worse for wear. Fawns, in particular, did not survive well in parts of the state, but did well in desert areas. The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah), May 1, 2023 The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources recommends a decrease in the number of general-season deer hunting permits for a fifth straight year, but is seeking public feedback on this and other hunting recommendations. Some of the factors that adversely affect the deer population are poor or limited habitat, predators and harsh weather, such as drought or excessive snowfall like the state has had this winter. The proposal is for a decrease of 4,800 permits in Northern Utah (about 20% fewer than last year) and a decrease of 1,000 permits in Northeast Utah (about 11% fewer than last year). Increases are proposed for central, southern and southeastern Utah. KSTU-FOX 13 (Salt Lake City, Utah), April 4, 2023

Many Cowley County farmers are hoping for additional rain before the wheat harvest as precipitation has been scarce. One farmer said that his neighbor’s wheat field was sprayed because insurance would not cover cutting costs. Another neighbor sold all of his cattle for lack of grass and water. KWCH 12 (Wichita, Kan.), April 30, 2023

Crop and pasture conditions continued to decline in southeast Colorado due to lack of moisture and high winds. Drought conditions in the district remained steady last week. The Prowers Journal (Lamar, Colo.), April 26, 2023 Crop and pasture conditions in southeast Colorado continued to decline due to lack of moisture and high winds. Winter wheat in the area remained heavily stressed, with most of the crop reported as very poor to fair. The Prowers Journal (Lamar, Colo.), April 18, 2023 Crop and pasture conditions in southeast Colorado continued to decline due to lack of moisture and high winds. Winter wheat in the area remained heavily stressed and development was behind average. Livestock producers were utilizing emergency grazing of CRP acreage where available. The Prowers Journal (Lamar, Colo.), April 12, 2023