Drought

South Dakota livestock producers were already struggling with low grass growth, increasing insect populations, and now climbing salinity levels in stock ponds. Apart from drought, it is uncommon to see water salinity, measured in microsiemens per centimeter, higher than 3,000. Currently, some water has salinity over 10,000, although levels above 5,000 should be watched. Beyond 15,000 µS/cm is toxic for cattle. Black Hills Pioneer (Spearfish, S.D.), June 30, 2021

North Dakota’s hay season is nearly done, according to a North Dakota State University Extension rangeland specialist. Hay production ranged from 50% of normal yield in the better parts of the state to no hay in the north central part of the state. He stated that on average, hay production was about one-third of normal production. AgWeek (Fargo, N.D.), July 1, 2021 Most North Dakota livestock producers were short on forage. Tame grass pastures or hay land should expect half or less of normal production, while areas of exceptional drought may see production of 25% at best. The limited forage production will shorten the grazing season, ending it in the summer rather than in the fall. “Unfortunately, the window for forage production is closing,” said a North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. “In North Dakota, our grasslands are dominated by cool-season grasses. As a result, about 80% of forage growth occurs due to precipitation occurring between April 1 and June 30.” NewsDakota (Valley City, N.D.), June 15, 2021 North Dakota forage production is expected to be down 20% to 25% with normal spring precipitation, according to North Dakota State University Extension’s range specialist, as May and June rain is crucial for grass growth, particularly after a dry fall. If precipitation is below normal, forage losses may range from 35% to 55%. Williston Herald (N.D.), March 23, 2021 Drought stress in fall 2020 killed North Dakota’s cool season grass tillers, slowing plant development in spring 2021. As a result, ranchers should expect a delay in grass development in spring 2021, according to an Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. If pastures are not allowed to recover, forage production may be down at least 20% to 25% in 2021. Early grazing will reduce pasture production even further. Sidney Herald (Mont.), March 18, 2021

This drought year is worse than 1988 by the reckoning of a rancher and a livestock auctioneer in northeast central North Dakota. An Eddy County rancher was concerned about his lack of forage for his 350+ cattle as some pasture has no forage for cattle, while other pasture was 25% of normal. Corn was planted to supplement the pasture forage, but it wasn’t clear that the corn would produce any kernels. Hay was pricey and involves transportation costs to bring it home. Cattle were afflicted with dust pneumonia, and one cow died from it. The Rugby Livestock Auction was selling an “astronomically high” number of cattle each week, with more than 2,700 cattle, including more than 700 cow-calf pairs. A sale in normal times might be about 600 to 700 head every other week. Some ranchers were even selling entire herds. The stress and difficulty of the drought increased communication and cooperation among rancher friends as people tried to help each other through this challenging situation. Grand Forks Herald (N.D.), June 28, 2021 Little forage has grown in Montana and North Dakota, due to drought, leaving cattle producers to cull cattle. DTN/Progressive Farmer (Burnsville, Minn.), June 16, 2021 The rain did not fall to green up North Dakota pastures, so ranchers were selling cattle. More than 4,200 head of cattle were sold at Rugby Livestock Auction in the north central part of the state. Typical sales for this time of year would be 400 to 600 head maybe once a week or every other week. The price of hay and corn were very high, making it more economical to sell cattle than feed them. Many ranchers were selling 25% to 50% of their herds at low prices, and the sales may continue for a while because there will not be feed for winter since grass was not growing. Buyers traveled from South Dakota and Idaho. KX Net (Bismarck, N.D.), June 8, 2021

The Ute Water Conservancy District began drawing water directly from the Colorado River for the first time in its 65-year existence, according to district officials. Consequently, the district will also have to introduce a 2% "drought pumping rate" to pay for the increased electrical cost of pumping the water. The district typically gets its water from snowmelt, which refills its reservoirs, but there was a call on that water from users with more senior water rights, which has never happened so early in the year. River water will require more treatment and may taste different or leave more residue on dishes. The Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction, Colo.), June 19, 2021

Wasatch and Sanpete counties were in stage 2 fire restrictions, the most stringent restrictions in the state. Grand and San Juan counties have requested stage 2 fire restrictions, under which no open flames are permitted. Salt Lake Tribune (Utah), June 21, 2021

The Santa Fe city council passed a fireworks ban through Aug. 10 to discourage the public from igniting their own fireworks. Santa Fe New Mexican (N.M.), June 20, 2021

Drought conditions in New Mexico led to calls for a statewide fireworks ban. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham urged cities and counties to think about banning fireworks, given the fire risk. Santa Fe New Mexican (N.M.), June 20, 2021

Burning restrictions were in effect for Douglas, Bayfield, Burnett, Washburn, Sawyer , Polk and surrounding counties ad the fire danger was very high. La Crosse Tribune (Wis.), June 19, 2021

The Colorado Forest Service recommends watering newly planted trees at lower elevations to avoid tree damage, given the drought conditions. KREX-TV CBS 5 (Grand Junction, Colo.), Feb. 17, 2020

The Kleberg County Commissioners voted to enact a 90-day burn ban to take effect on Feb. 18, due to the lack of rain. Fireworks will still be sold to celebrate Texas Independence Day, but no aerial fireworks will be offered, due to the rising fire danger. Kingsville Record (Texas), Feb. 20, 2020

After a relatively dry January and February, grass on hillsides in Napa County was a meager four to five inches tall, in comparison with being two to three feet in height one year ago. Napa Valley Register (Calif.), Feb. 17, 2020

Turlock Irrigation District customers were calling to ask when irrigation deliveries would begin, given the dry conditions. Turlock Journal (Calif.), Feb. 14, 2020

Without rain for more than a month, a San Benito County rancher reported slow grass growth, feed costs were rising and his cattle were underweight. KSBW-TV Salinas (Calif.), Feb. 15, 2020

The California Department of Water Resource estimated a delivery allocation of 15 percent for the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District and other agencies which receive water from the State Water Project. The SWP typically provides closer to 30 percent of the needed water, but snowpack in the Sierra Nevada was 70 percent of normal at the end of January. Highland Community News (Calif.), Feb. 13, 2020

Dry weather in California has caused numerous escaped debris burns in the northern part of the state, keeping Cal Fire busier than normal. KRCR-TV ABC 7 & KCVU-TV Fox 20 (Redding, Calif.), Feb. 12, 2020

Dryland wheat in West Central Texas not growing much, while grazing in pastures was scarce. The district needed good rainfall to replenish soil moisture. AgriLife (Texas A&M) (College Station, Texas), Feb. 4, 2020

Many wheat fields in Far West Texas appeared drought stressed as soil moisture was very short. Wheat field conditions varied from very poor to good, and was mostly poor to good. AgriLife (Texas A&M) (College Station, Texas), Feb. 4, 2020

Drought harmed Georgia’s pecan trees in the latter part of 2019, affecting development and possibly depressing the harvest. Georgia Public Broadcasting (Atlanta), Feb. 6, 2020

Many Virginia farmers were low on hay after a late summer and fall drought in 2019 reduced hay production and forced them to begin feeding hay early, cutting into winter supplies. Many farmers were searching for hay to purchase in state, but were finding that they had to purchase from neighboring states. Some parts of Virginia had adequate supplies, however. Hay prices were also higher than normal. Round bales were selling for $80 rather than the normal price of $40. Many pastures did not recover well after the drought, meaning farmers will have to feed longer than usual this spring. Culpeper Star-Exponent (Va.), Feb. 6, 2020

Six central Texas counties were declared a state of disaster by Gov. Greg Abbott, due to drought. The six counties were Bell, Burleson, Burnet, Freestone, Navarro and Williamson. KXXV-TV ABC 25 Waco (Texas), Feb. 6, 2020