Drought

Almost 61,000 head of cattle were sold at the Willcox Livestock Auction in 2023 from ranchers in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. The number was about 40% more than the previous year. Prolonged drought pushes ranchers to sell livestock when there isn’t enough pasture. The auction yard filled to capacity during fall 2023, forcing the operators to turn away sellers. The 2023 summer was one of the driest on record. AZ Central (Phoenix), July 10, 2024

The countywide burn ban in Kendall County was reestablished because the Keetch-Byram Drought Index was above 500. Outdoor burning was not permitted in unincorporated portions of the county until further notice. The ban will last 90 days unless it is renewed. The Boerne Star (Texas), July 10, 2024

Corn in Columbus County was drying up for lack of rain. One farmer stated that his crop was “pretty much history” and lamented that it would take years to get past the financial hardship of losing the crop. While the corn ought to be six to seven feet tall, it was just three to four feet in height. The corn may not produce ears, but the soybeans may survive if rain falls. WECT-TV Channel 6 (Wilmington, N.C.), July 9, 2024

Crops in West Virginia were struggling for lack of rain. Farmers with irrigation capability were better off than those without it. WVNS-TV Channel 59 Bluefield (W.V.), July 9, 2024

Corn was nearing tasseling in Rockingham County and urgently needed rain in the next couple of weeks. Late season soybeans were just being planted and also needed rain. Pumpkins planted one month ago ought to be about four times bigger than they were, which indicated a large yield reduction. WHSV (Harrisonburg, Va.), July 9, 2024

Greensboro area farmers were working hard trying to keep crops irrigated amid the hot, dry weather. The crops were more expensive to produce when they need so much irrigation. The corn seemed to be harmed by drought the most. WGHP TV 8 (High Point, N.C.), June 25, 2024

The Town of Troutman was enacting a voluntary lawn and landscape irrigation schedule as the region was in moderate drought. Iredell Free News (Statesville, N.C.), July 8, 2024

Mission was in stage 2 of its contingency plan as cities in the Rio Grande Valley strove to conserve water while the Amistad and Falcon reservoirs were extremely low. Progress Times (Mission, Texas), July 8, 2024

Texas Water Company customers in Medina and Comal counties began Stage 4 water restrictions on July 9. Outdoor watering was not permitted, but water may be used to sustain livestock. WOAI-AM 1200 News Radio (San Antonio, Texas), July 9, 2024

Water conservation was encouraged in Whiteville with customers being asked to curb their water use by 10% compared with last month’s bill. WWAY-TV ABC 3 Wilmington (N.C.), July 8, 2024

A farmer near Fallston has irrigated his crops which increases expenses and lowers profits, but it’s necessary. He also chose not to plant butternut squash and Crowder peas. He aims to give his crops an inch of water weekly. Crops are typically planted on a six-week rotation to keep them available all season, but might extend it to planting every eight weeks, due to the drought. A sorghum grower near Belwood has lost some of the sorghum for lack of rain. The crop was planted on June 1 and received about three-quarters of an inch that day and little rain since then. The Shelby Star (Shelby, N.C.), July 8, 2024

Prince George County residents were urged to conserve water as much of the state was in moderate drought, and the level of Lake Chesdin was dropping. WRIC-TV (Richmond, Va.), July 8, 2024

Mandatory water use restrictions were in effect for people in Walhalla where excessive water use was causing problems with water pressure. WYFF-TV NBC 4 (Greenville, S.C.), July 5, 2024

Sunflowers were in bloom at Dorothea Dix Park, but the plants were about three feet tall because rainfall has been below normal. The Raleigh News & Observer Online (N.C.), July 5, 2024

Much of North Carolina’s corn appeared to be a total loss, according to agronomists. The overall condition of the crop was “very, very poor,” as described by a regional agronomist for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. Although the first cutting of hay was great, there has been little rainfall since then, so a second cutting was not looking promising. In addition, pasture conditions were very poor statewide. Some growers were already feeding freshly cut hay to their livestock, which could lead to a hay shortage this coming winter. Soybeans, tobacco, peanuts, and cotton were all suffering in the hot, dry weather, but could still benefit from rain. SF|Successful Farming (Des Moines, Iowa), June 28, 2024

Water from the Washington Aqueduct was cloudier than usual due to algae blooms in the Potomac River. Algae flourished in the river on account of runoff from farmland, heat and drought reducing the river flow. Despite the boil water advisory, the water was always safe to drink. NBC4 Washington (D.C.), July 4, 2024

Crop damage in the eastern Carolinas was irreversible for some crops. The director of the North Carolina Farm Service Agency stated that the corn crop may not be much. Some soybeans have died, and sweet potatoes were struggling. The tobacco was affected by the dry conditions, but it was not yet clear how the quality would be affected. SFN Today (Raleigh, N.C.), July 3, 2024

The Fauquier County Water and Sanitation Authority implemented mandatory outdoor water restrictions for all customers. Drought conditions, heat and excessive outdoor watering have strained water supplies. Lawn watering with a sprinkler or irrigation system was prohibited. FauquierNow (Warrenton, Va.), July 3, 2024

The City of Saluda issued a Stage 1 water shortage advisory on July 3, current conditions could lead to a shortage. The public was encouraged to voluntarily curb their water use and increase water use efficiency. WLOS (Asheville, N.C.), July 3, 2024

The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning about using fireworks during the drought, with projectile-type fireworks to be avoided. Some of the illegal fireworks included firecrackers, skyrockets, torpedoes, and fireworks that explode, travel laterally, rise into the air, or fire projectiles. Open burning was also prohibited. The News Leader (Staunton, Va.), July 3, 2024