Drought

Alfalfa seeds produced in the Walla Walla area were severely impacted this year, due to drought and heat. Yield may be down about 20%. The Walla Walla Valley produces around 25%of the United States’ alfalfa seed, according to a grower in the Gardena area south of Touchet. Walla Walla Union-Bulletin (Wash.), Sept 5, 2021

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Sept. 8 its plans to help cover the cost of transporting feed for livestock that rely on grazing, due to severe drought. USDA is updating the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) to immediately cover feed transportation costs for drought impacted ranchers. ELAP already covers the cost of hauling water during drought, and this change will expand the program beginning in 2021 to cover feed transportation costs where grazing and hay resources have been depleted. Tri-State Livestock News (Belle Fourche, S.D.), Sept 17, 2021

Historic drought and heat in Oregon have severely diminished the growth of tall fescue, prompting concerns about a possible worldwide grass seed shortage. A grower in Shedd reported that his crop yield was 50% to 55% of normal. According to the Oregon Seed Council, the state produces about 600 million pounds of grass seed annually, comprising a significant portion of the world's product. KEZI (Springfield, Ore.), Sept 3, 2021

Drought led many New Mexico ranchers to sell livestock as it was too expensive to feed them. Even after an active monsoon season, roughly two-thirds of the state remained in moderate to extreme drought. Drought conditions decrease animal growth, diminish forage opportunities for livestock, increase the cost of production and decrease calf prices, according to a report from the New Mexico State University Department of Animal and Range Sciences. Santa Fe New Mexican (N.M.), Sept 7, 2021

Corn growth in Minnesota was severely stunted by drought, but can still be used for livestock feed. FOX 9 (St. Paul, Minn.), Sept 8, 2021

There were 41,000 fewer acres of cotton planted in California in 2021, as reported by the USDA in its Planted Acres report in late June. Drought and water concerns likely contributed to the reduction, which followed a 20,000 acre reduction in 2020. Cotton Grower (Memphis, Tenn.), Sept 3, 2021

A Routt County ranching couple was unable to grow enough hay and was considering culling their herd, despite adopting best management practices for soil health and water efficiencies for years. The Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction, Colo.), Sept 5, 2021

Moffat County ranchers shared their experiences with drought by describing having less water to feed and sustain their livestock, and also mentioned the uncontrollable noxious weeds and insects. The Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction, Colo.), Sept 5, 2021

The hot, dry summer dropped winter wheat production in the Pacific Northwest by 40%, compared to 2020, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Washington state suffered a 47% drop in production, compared to 2020, to 71 million bushels for the lowest wheat produced since 1964, as reported by the program director for the Washington Grain Commission. The winter wheat crop fared better in Idaho, where 45.4 million bushels were produced, down 32% from 2020. Winter wheat production in Oregon was 31.7 million bushels, down 32% from last year. Capital Press (Salem, Ore.), Sept 30, 2021

The most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report indicated that drought significantly lowered wheat, barley and bean production. Durum wheat yields will likely be down 50% from 2020, while production of other spring wheats were predicted to be 41% lower. Barley yields were more than 33% lower. Dry, edible beans, including black-eyed peas, were also substantially lower, due to drought. Fewer acres were planted. This could mean higher prices on some products. Consumers can expect to pay more for flour, pasta, beer, animal feed and more. The Bryan-College Station Eagle (Texas), Sept 9, 2021

Livestock and wildlife were being supplemented in drier areas. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Sept 8, 2021

Conditions continued to decline due to high temperatures and lack of rainfall. Some reports of poor harvests. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Sept 8, 2021

Rain was needed to finish summer crops and plant winter wheat. The soil moisture was very short to short in southern parts of the district. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Sept 8, 2021

Rangeland and pasture conditions were good in most areas, but drier, hotter weather caused some browning, especially on lighter soils. Areas needed more rain to finish the hay season. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Sept 8, 2021

Growers were starting to dust in wheat as it was hot and dry in the district. Some grazing was starting to brown for lack of moisture. Ranchers have excess hay bales. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Sept 8, 2021

Forage grasses were drying down quickly and going dormant as soil moisture declined. A decent rain was required before fall planting can begin, but field preparation was occurring. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Sept 8, 2021

Half a dozen wells in Eatonville went dry on Aug. 4. Water utilities reliant on wells in Clallam, Benton, Whatcom and Pierce counties each have reported failing wells. The Seattle Times (Wash.), Sept 6, 2021

U.S. ranchers are selling more heifers as feeder cattle, indicative of the present drought environment, according to Livestock Marketing Information Center. Drovers (Lenexa, Ks.), Sept 3, 2021

The recent rain in South Dakota was too late to improve crop yields, and the strong winds and baseball-sized hail to some areas, laying the corn flat. Some corn growers in Tripp County were harvesting their corn for silage as some of it did not produce ears anyway. Sioux Falls Argus Leader (S.D.), Sept 7, 2021

Weston County producers reduced herd sizes due to minimal pasture grass and increased hay prices. Pastures were depleted throughout the county and there has not been much late season grass growth. There were similar comments in Goshen County of overgrazed pastures. Reports from Goshen County indicated the third cutting of hay is being grown mostly for tonnage, with quality reported as poor. Kiowa County Press (Eads, Colo.), Sept 9, 2021