Drought

Heat and drought limited forage production in Nebraska and other drought-stricken areas, forcing cattle producers to weigh hay supplies against herd size for the winter. Many growers chopped drought-damaged crops for silage. Hay prices were much higher than last year. In central Nebraska, hay prices have increased about $40 to $50 per ton. In the Rock Valley, Iowa area, hay buyers were “very aggressive” in their hay purchases this summer, according to an auction owner. The demand has driven forage prices higher as buyers look to stock up on hay to get through the winter. At the Sept. 8 auction in northwest Iowa, alfalfa prices ranged from $215/ton to $300/ton with the mean being around $250/ton. Grass hay sold from $80/ton to $230/ton with the middle being around $165/ton. Drought severely cut into hay production in Nebraska. The Cornhusker state’s 2022 hay production was estimated at 4.83 million tons, 23.2% lower than the 2021 growing season. Total hay supply in 2022 is forecast to be 6.08 million tons, which is 16.6% lower than the previous year. DTN – Progressive Farmer (Burnsville, Minn.), Sept 19, 2022

The corn yield in Robertson County was one-third to one-half of a normal crop for a grower in Orlinda. Rainfall in the mid-April to mid-July window was just two inches, compared to a typical 10 to 12 inches during that time. Inflation and supply chain issues made this the most expensive crop that he ever planted, so a better harvest was needed. WTVF-TV CBS 5 Nashville (Tenn.), Sept 20, 2022

A major Ips Engraver beetle outbreak is occurring in the Denver metro area with the insects attacking spruce and Austrian pine trees. Heat and drought stressed area trees, making them more vulnerable to the beetles. 9News (Denver, Colo.), September 19, 2022

Drought has cut alfalfa yields and driven up feed prices from $100 per ton a couple of years ago to $300 per tons at present. The scarcity and cost of feed has prompted many cattle producers to ship their cattle to feed lots earlier than usual. Cowboy State Daily (Lander, Wyo.), Sept 13, 2022

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt issued an executive order on Sept. 12 to bring drought relief to Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. An Emergency Drought Commission will be formed and will have the authority to allocate funds. KOKH FOX 25 (Okla.), Sept 13, 2022

Drought drove cattle sales to highs not seen in a decade. Cattle sales in Texas have topped 2.66 million head so far in 2022, which is more than 480,000 more cattle than sold by this time last year. Large numbers of breeding stock were sent to feedlots, and cow slaughter numbers were up significantly, over 80,000 per week in July for the highest cattle liquidation since 2011. Texas Farm Bureau (Waco), Sept 14, 2022

Abnormal dryness spread over much of North Dakota on the U.S. Drought Monitor this week, covering 84.34% of the state. April was North Dakota’s second wettest on record, but the weather has since turned drier. Pasture and range conditions, stock water supplies and crops were ranked in better conditions at the start of summer than at present. Algae has become a bigger problem for North Dakota lakes recently, with the state’s Department of Environmental Quality issuing advisories for a dozen lakes. The Bismarck Tribune (N.D.), Sept 16, 2022

Corn and soybean yields in Lyon County were far lower than hoped for as conditions were too hot and dry when crops began to fill. Ponds are drying up in pastures, and water quality has declined also. KVOE (Emporia, Kan.), Sept 13, 2022

A water emergency is in effect for the town of Caney in Montgomery County. Water no longer flows over the dam, meaning that the community has the water that is behind the dam for its water supply, which should last about six weeks. The city clerk is looking for other water sources for the town. KWCH 12 (Wichita, Kan.), Sept 16, 2022

Dryland corn in northeast Nebraska is stunted and yellowing, stricken by the exceptional drought affecting the northeast and also the southwest part of the state. Livestock producers are selling cattle as grass and hay are not growing, and feed is costly. Omaha World-Herald (Neb.), Sept 18, 2022

Water levels in Wichita wells have been dropping since July, allowing wells to run dry. One woman made the decision to switch to city water after her well stopped producing water. Her next door neighbor lowered the pump in his well, which gave him water for a few days before the water level dropped lower. Drought conditions ramped up quickly in southeast Kansas this summer. KAKE-TV ABC 10 Wichita (Kan.), Sept 16, 2022

The ongoing drought in Montana has reduced available supplies of water for livestock, forcing some ranchers to sell spring-born calves to market early rather than wait until October. The lighter weight of the calf will bring a lower price, but running out of water for livestock dictates what ranchers must do. Cake prices have risen $100 per ton in the past year, or approximately $200 increase over the past three years. Hay prices have also climbed from $99 to $150 over the past two years for a 950-pound alfalfa/grass mix bale. KTVQ-TV Q2 Billings (Mont.), Sept 15, 2022

As drought reduces rivers to a trickle in Massachusetts, the water quality has deteriorated, threatening aquatic wildlife. River herring have far less water to migrate between streams. Herring, already in jeopardy due to overfishing, pollution and climate change, struggle with the lower water levels and the loss of habitat. With this summer’s drought, some Charles River tributaries have reached record low water levels while others have run dry. The Boston Globe (Mass.), Sept 15, 2022

Conifer stands in some central New Mexico forests were losing their needles, due to an insect outbreak. Douglas fir, white fir and even some ponderosa pine trees in the Cibola National Forest were turning brown due to the larvae of the tussock moth feeding on last year’s needles. The worry is that the defoliation weakens the trees and will make them vulnerable to later attacks by bark beetles that may kill the tops of trees or even entire trees. The Associated Press (New York), Sept. 14, 2022

This has been a good year for cranberries in Massachusetts with the fall harvest expected to be 19% bigger than in 2021. Most growers had enough water to irrigate during the summer, using water stored in ponds. Rainfall at the end of summer arrived and refilled the ponds in time for harvest. Spring and early summer offered ideal weather conditions for cranberries. During drought, the fruit quality is often better as the bogs are drier and there isn’t excess moisture to cause rot. Some growers, however, missed out on the rain and didn’t not get their irrigation ponds refilled, which may pose challenges for the harvest. WCAI-FM Cape & Islands NPR (Woods Hole, Mass.), Sept 13, 2022

This has been a good year for cranberries in Massachusetts with the fall harvest expected to be 19% bigger than in 2021. Most growers had enough water to irrigate during the summer, using water stored in ponds. Rainfall at the end of summer arrived and refilled the ponds in time for harvest. Spring and early summer offered ideal weather conditions for cranberries. During drought, the fruit quality is often better as the bogs are drier and there isn’t excess moisture to cause rot. Some growers, however, missed out on the rain and didn’t not get their irrigation ponds refilled, which may pose challenges for the harvest. WCAI-FM Cape & Islands NPR (Woods Hole, Mass.), Sept 13, 2022

A dry August in Michigan, notably in the North Central Lower Peninsula and Thumb, lowered the estimated yields of corn, soybeans and sugarbeets. Average corn yields were projected to be 168 bushels per acre, down from 174 last year. Soybean yields were expected to average 47 bushels per acre, down 4 bushels from 51 bushels the previous year. Anticipated sugarbeet yields of 30.8 tons per acre, compared to 37.4 ton per acres harvested in 2021. Michigan Farm News (Lansing, Mich.), Sept 14, 2022

Dry conditions in Natick over the summer may have left pumpkins a little smaller than usual. Some farmers have had to choose what crops to water, and which to leave unwatered. One farm ran out of water near the end of August and turned to city water at a cost of nearly $3,000 daily to keep watering their apples. CBS Boston (Mass.), Sept 13, 2022

Dry conditions in Natick over the summer may have left pumpkins a little smaller than usual. Some farmers have had to choose what crops to water, and which to leave unwatered. One farm ran out of water near the end of August and turned to city water at a cost of nearly $3,000 daily to keep watering their apples. CBS Boston (Mass.), Sept 13, 2022

Some Massachusetts towns, including Mansfield, Rehoboth, Westport and Wilmington, have been affected by e coli outbreaks in the drinking water. The National Center for Disease Control asserting that drought may play a role in the contamination as prolonged drought conditions can affect quantity and quality of drinking water. Wicked Local (Randolph, Mass.), Sept. 12, 2022