Drought

Crop conditions in Jefferson County deteriorated, due to drought. Peanut producers waited for rain to harvest dryland acres, but had to begin the harvest due to the considerable decline in vine health, increased pod damage and lack of fill. Dryland cotton was in very poor condition. Hay feeding began after pasture conditions declined earlier than usual. AgFax (Brandon, Miss.), Oct. 15, 2019

Dry conditions prevented another cutting from hayfields in Bleckley County, leaving producers concerned about feed for the winter. Ponds, creeks and rivers were low from the lack of rain. AgFax (Brandon, Miss.), Oct. 15, 2019

Winter annuals were not able to be established in Meriwether County for lack of soil moisture. There were no pastures remaining for grazing. Soybeans began defoliating as dry weather persisted. AgFax (Brandon, Miss.), Oct. 15, 2019

The recent die-off of fall Chinook salmon in the Wilson, Nestucca, Trask and Kilchis rivers near Tillamook prompted a total closure on salmon fishing on the north coast of Oregon. The fish deaths occurred before they were able to spawn as the parasite cryptobia proliferated, due to abnormally dry conditions allowing the parasite to spread, according to a district fish biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s North Coast Watershed District. Shallow waters trapped salmon in small pools for an extended time, permitting leeches that carry the parasite to infect more fish than has ever been seen in the past. All salmon angling was closed in the Necanicum River basin, Nehalem Bay and river, Tillamook Bay and rivers and Nestucca Bay and river. Salem Statesman-Journal (Ore.), Dec. 12, 2019

The lack of rain in southwest Washington has left the Shillapoo and Vancouver Lake state wildlife areas dry, and there were no ducks to be found. The Columbia River was too low to pump much water into the wetlands. The Vancouver Columbian (Wash.), Dec. 11, 2019

Small grains in South Texas had emerged, but needed rain. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair, but rain was needed. Soil moisture levels were decreasing in most of the district. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued. Pond levels were falling. Texas A&M AgriLife (College Station, Texas), Dec. 11, 2019

Small grain growth in West Central Texas slowed, due to drought. Livestock looked fair to poor due to the lack of grazing, leading producers to increase supplemental feeding of livestock. Texas A&M AgriLife (College Station, Texas), Dec. 11, 2019

Very dry conditions in the South Plains were affecting dryland wheat and oats, rangelands and pastures. The cotton harvest nearly complete with most yields below expectations. Texas A&M AgriLife (College Station, Texas), Dec. 11, 2019

Winter forages in the Coastal Bend were actively growing, but needed rain. Livestock water was declining, and producers were becoming concerned. Livestock continued to receive hay and protein. Soil moisture was beginning to decline rapidly. Texas A&M AgriLife (College Station, Texas), Dec. 11, 2019

Stock tanks in Central Texas were low from drought, with producers culling cattle and hauling water. Small grains needed rain and were spotty in some parts of the district. Nearly all of the district reported short soil moisture levels and poor rangeland and pasture conditions. Texas A&M AgriLife (College Station, Texas), Dec. 11, 2019

Starting in January 2020, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico will take less water from the Colorado as agreed in the Lower Colorado River Basin Drought Contingency Plan, to bolster the level of Lake Mead. The massive reservoir was in the “Tier Zero” zone, triggering the first water cuts. Arizona will take 192,000 acre-feet less in water deliveries, or a 6.9 percent cut in its total allotment. Nevada will get 8,000 acre-feet less, and Mexico will leave 41,000 acre-feet in Lake Mead. Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com & KPNX-TV NBC 12 Phoenix (Ariz.), Dec. 10, 2019

A 90-day burn ban was enacted in Nolan County on Dec. 9, due to dry conditions and elevated fire danger. Ninety-seven of the 254 counties in Texas had burn bans. KTXS-TV 12 Abilene (Texas), Dec. 10, 2019

Taylor County commissioners voted to ban aerial fireworks for Christmas and New Year celebrations, due to dry weather. KTAB TV 32 & KRBC TV 9 (Abilene, Texas), Dec. 10, 2019

A burn ban for the unincorporated parts of Comal County took effect Dec. 6 as the Ketch-Byram Drought Index indicated dry conditions.

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture cautioned farmers to take measures to prevent hot farm equipment from starting field fires as dry conditions affected much of the state. Journal Gazette.net (Ind.), Sept. 28, 2019

The Ohio Department of Forestry banned burning in rural areas between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Recreational fires and bonfires must not be larger than three feet in diameter or two feet tall. Dayton Daily News (Ohio), Sept. 27, 2019

North Carolina farmers cannot plant winter wheat because the soil is too dry, according to an applied climatologist with the State Climate Office in Raleigh. The same was true in Forsyth, Stokes and Surry counties. The blooms on soybeans did not fill out, and the beans were small. There was not much grass, and livestock producers were likely feeding hay. Winston Salem Journal (N.C.), Sept. 30, 2019

Trees in parts of southwest Virginia dropped brown leaves early as drought stressed the trees. Lynchburg News & Advance (Va.), Sept. 29, 2019

Lawrence County Commissioners announced a burn ban for the county, due to widespread drought conditions. Bedford Times-Mail (Ind.), Sept. 25, 2019

Cattle prices were down in Texas as the state beef herd hit an eight-year high of 4.65 million and drought caused producers to cull cattle earlier and deeper than usual, among other factors. The Bryan-College Station Eagle (Texas), Sept. 25, 2019