Drought

The U.S. is expected to harvest 7.13 million acres of cotton, its lowest number since the 19th century, according to a USDA estimate. USDA’s Aug. 12 report forecast that about 43% of the planted cotton acres in the U.S. are expected to be abandoned this year, largely due to intense drought in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Texas is forecast to abandon 69% of its cotton acreage this year. Planted acreage in Texas was 7.1 million, and the expected harvest is to occur on 2.2 million, the lowest since 1879. Delta Farm Press (Memphis, Tenn.), Aug 22, 2022

Parts of Long Island were in severe drought, leading people to water their lawns early in the morning. Suffolk County water officials were urging people to shift their watering times to reduce the demand on the water system because the elevated storage tanks were draining as everyone used water at the same time, leaving less water for emergency use, such as a large fire. CBS New York, Aug. 19, 2022

The Paluxy River through Dinosaur Valley State Park has dwindled rapidly in recent weeks, exposing more riverbed and missive dinosaur prints. The tracks are normally covered by mud and water. Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas), Aug. 21, 2022

The Virgin Islands Fire Service enacted a burn ban, due to the dry conditions. Saint Croix Source (Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands), June 14, 2022

Low rainfall has left the U.S. Virgin Islands in drought. The soil and ponds are dry, vegetation is distressed, and wells are low. Drought, in addition to labor shortages, the pandemic and other issues, caused a plant-growing business to close. St. Thomas Source (Charlotte Amalie), Aug 20, 2022

Nebraska auctions have had a constant stream of weigh up cows and bulls for the past year as ranchers cull deeper than usual to ease pressure on withered pastures. Tri-State Livestock News (Belle Fourche, S.D.), Aug 19, 2022

Drought and reduced forage production in the central and southern Plains have producers continuing to sell livestock. The market for cattle remained strong. Producers are trying to find alternate sources of feed for the livestock like drought-affected corn or cover crops because hay is certainly in short supply. Cattle runs in Holdenville, Oklahoma this summer were double the usual size as lots of cows, light calves and pairs were sold early. Some of the older ranchers were not expected to ever buy back into the business. Tri-State Livestock News (Belle Fourche, S.D.), Aug 19, 2022

The level of the Guadalupe River in Kerrville has slightly restricted pedal boat operation on the river to avoid running aground amid extreme drought. However, the tourism industry in Kerrville was thriving overall. KABB-TV FOX 29 San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 19, 2022

Corn and soybeans in Isanti County were thirsty and in need of rain. The area never fully recovered from drought in 2021. Moderate drought at present has left corn about three feet shorter than it ought to be, so some will be chopped for feed as the farmer anticipates a corn yield of 100 bushels per acre rather than 200 bpa. Overall farm income has been halved. KSTP-TV ABC 5 Minneapolis (Minn.), Aug 19, 2022

Some West Texas ranchers were short on water for their goats and sheep. As a result, ranchers have to sell livestock or anticipate less wool production next year. Hay and grain production is down, and feed prices are up. Pastures were not growing. Since the start of the year, the price of wool has risen 4.57%. The increased demand for cotton with the lower production catapulted cotton to an 11-year high in early May. KXVA/KIDY-TV (San Angelo, Texas), Aug 15, 2022

Maui County pastures and vegetation in general remained in extremely poor condition along the lower leeward slopes. Ranchers in these areas sold portions of their herds months ago. Feral deer continue to compete with livestock for forage and consume produce. Maui News (Wailuku, Hawaii), Aug. 16, 2022

A Vermont farmer with an organic beef farm in Sudbury noted that his pasture was not growing, which causes him stress because he has 600 to 700 cattle to graze. The yield and quality of hay grown in Vermont is poor, meaning that there will not be as much for cows this winter. Near Exeter, Rhode Island, the soil is powder dry one foot down, according to a hay farmer. The Associated Press (New York), Aug 16, 2022

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced that the Colorado River Basin would enter a Tier 2 shortage, which will require cuts in water to Arizona of 21%, Nevada, 8% and the country of Mexico by 7%. The country’s two largest reservoirs held about a quarter of their capacity and were continuing to drop lower, which could threaten to disrupt drinking water supplies and hydropower production. In June, Colorado River Basin states were told to devise a way to use 2 to 4 million acre-feet less water, otherwise the federal government would decide the cuts for the states. The deadline for delivering the plan was Aug. 15, which came and went without a solution. The Washington Post (D.C.), Aug. 16, 2022

Yet another set of human remains was discovered at Lake Mead near the Swim Beach part of the lake, bringing the tally of remains to five this year. USA Today (McLean, Va.), Aug 16, 2022

Some honey bee hives in southern and coastal Maine were showing signs of food stress with yellow jackets and hornets robbing honey bee hives. Plants are drought-stressed and were not producing as much nectar or pollen as usual, leaving less for bees to collect and store. The president of the Maine State Beekeepers Association harvested 300 pounds of honey last summer, but only 100 pounds so far this summer and does not expect to get much more, due to the drought. Plants were also blooming weeks earlier than usual. Bangor Daily News (Maine), Aug 16, 2022

Soil moisture in North Texas was short following two weeks of 100-plus degree temperatures and sustained winds. Some counties were under burn bans. Producers were cutting hay but only reporting one-third of their normal production. Pastures continued to decline. Rain in the next few weeks will be necessary for the sorghum to finish strong. Some corn was dying back prematurely due to the lack of moisture. Soybeans looked good, but late-planted fields were struggling. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), June 28, 2022

Extremely dry conditions dominated Central Texas. Soil moisture levels were very short. An unrelenting streak of record heat and dry conditions continued with more than 30 days of temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. Stock tanks were seriously low or dry. Overall rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor. Hay prices were escalating. Producers were selling livestock due to the extreme drought conditions, and body conditions were fair. Crop conditions were poor overall. Crop yield expectations were all over the board but trending lower than previous years. Corn harvest continued, and yields were widely variable. Sorghum was maturing rapidly. Cotton growth and development was slowing, and fields were showing visible drought stress. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 12, 2022 Record hot conditions continued with no rainfall. There were 20 100-plus degree days reported so far. Crop drought stress continued with virtually no soil moisture. Watering restrictions were now in effect. Corn crops were burning up rapidly and otherwise showing widespread insufficient kernel fill. Pastures and rangelands were in poor condition. Stock tanks were becoming drastically low, and local ranchers were purchasing hay bales to supplement pasture growth. There were reports of round bales selling for $150 each, with some reaching $200. Some culling of beef herds was occurring due to the high feed and forage costs. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), June 28, 2022 The district experienced record drought and record high temperatures in May. Those dry, hot conditions continued. Recent rainfall events helped pastures and rangelands, and most areas were in fair condition. Soil moisture conditions were adequate in the majority of counties. The corn crop was trying to fill but fields were showing signs of stress. Corn conditions were deteriorating with plants on lighter texture soils showing leaf firing from the extreme heat and dryness. Hay baling operations were wrapping up a second cutting and yields looked light. Stock ponds were drawing down and water restrictions were starting. Sorghum looked decent; cotton looked average. Pastures were in fair condition. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), June 14, 2022

Just four of the 13 boat ramps on Lake Travis remained open as the water level fell, due to drought. The lake was slightly above 645 feet above mean sea level. The ramps that were still in use included Mansfield Dam, Bob Wentz at Windy Point, Tournament Point at Pace Bend, and Sandy Creek. The Mansfield Dam boat ramp can stay open until the lake is at 633 feet. The parks manager urged people to pray for rain. FOX 7 Austin (Texas), Aug 15, 2022

As drought depletes Hammond Lake, one lake access has been restricted to kayaks only. Dust on dirt roads has also been an issue, reducing visibility and being a nuisance for hikers and bikers. US Army Corps of Engineers (Baltimore, Md.), Aug 10, 2022

Lake levels are low in southern Minnesota, causing boaters problems with launching and retrieving boats, per the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. DNR crews are repairing and extending many boat launch ramps so the public can continue to enjoy boating opportunities despite the low water conditions. The Mankato Free Press (Minn.), Aug 5, 2022