Drought

Without a sugar mill in Texas, a Hidalgo County sugar grower destroyed 500 acres of sugarcane. For lack of water, he planted just a fraction of the other crops that he typically cultivates. His row crops are entirely flood irrigated. The cotton was stunted by extreme drought conditions. The sorghum grain has shallow roots and was not doing well. “Complete lack of irrigation water for crop production in the Lower Rio Grande Valley would cost $495.8 million in direct revenue loss, Texas A&M University has calculated.” FOX Weather (New York), May 15, 2024

Huy Fong Foods told its wholesale buyers that it will halt Sriracha production until after Labor Day because its crop of red jalapeño peppers is not the right shade to produce the rooster sauce. An assessment of the chili supply revealed that it was too green for use in production because it affects the color of the product. All orders scheduled beginning on May 6, 2024, will be canceled and the status changed to pending. The Washington Post (D.C.), May 8, 2024

Drought has left Lake Ahquabi very low, which has hurt area businesses that rely on the lake. The lake was closed for renovations and dredging from 2021 to 2023. When the lake reopened in July 2023, the lake was at least 10 feet below normal. Kayakers and canoers had to drag boats a significant distance, which was not feasible. The swimming beach remained closed on account of low water levels. As of May 9, Lake Ahquabi was five feet below normal, which allowed canoers and kayakers to launch their boats. The water level remained too low for motorized boats to leave the docks. The park concessionaire outfitter was not able to open in 2023 and depended on business at its Indianola retail store and Raccoon River Park rentals in West Des Moines. The business has been closed for three years for renovations, dredging and drought. Axios Des Moines (Iowa), May 13, 2024

Collier County commissioners enacted a burn ban on May 14 effective immediately for all unincorporated parts of the county. Open burning is prohibited. Naples Daily News (Fla.), May 14, 2024

All nine of the Comal County-operated boat ramps were closed, due to the low water level. While the lake is low, crews were improving concrete boat ramps on the south side of the lake. Despite the boat ramps being extended, the water level was too low for the ramps to be of use. New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung (Texas), May 15, 2024 Canyon Lake has reached its lowest point since the 1960s when the lake filled. It was 59% full with a mean water level of 886.77 feet., as reported by Water Data for Texas. The nine boat ramps operated by Comal County were closed during the summer of 2023, due to the low water level. The three ramps controlled by the US Army Corps of Engineers were also closed. MySA.com (San Antonio, Texas), April 22, 2024 Canyon Lake is nearing a historic low and is about a half foot above its lowest elevation in its history. The lake is 69.5% full with a recorded level of 893.25 feet. The lowest elevation on record was on Sept. 9, 2009, at 892.70 feet. Just four of the 23 boat ramps on the lake were open. KSAT 12 Online (San Antonio, Texas), Aug 18, 2023

Brush fires and wildfires were becoming a bigger concern on the Treasure Coast. At least one to two brush fires have occurred daily, ranging from small flare-ups to blazes a couple hundred of acres in size. The public was asked not to have any bonfires or burn vegetation. There is no official burn ban in effect. WPEC-TV CBS 12 West Palm Beach (Fla.), May 14, 2024

Nitrogen fertilizer can accumulate in farm fields during years of drought and can wash into streams in large amounts when rain returns and brings an end to drought. Such an event is occurring in Iowa’s large rivers, including the Boone, Cedar, Iowa and Turkey rivers, where concentrations have hit four-year highs. Stream flows are much higher than usual, and concentrations are extremely high, so the total nitrate load is also very high. “This is one of the biggest nitrate leaching events in 11 years,” according to David Cwiertny, director of the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination at the University of Iowa. Water quality experts anticipated such a spike in pollution after significant rain fell after years of drought. More than twice the normal rain has fallen in recent weeks in Iowa, providing this wave of moisture to wash the nitrate out of the soil and into streams and rivers. Des Moines Water Works started its nitrate removal system on May 13 as the nitrate concentration in the Raccoon River, one of the main water sources, exceeded 15 parts per million. In March, the concentration was about 1 part per million, per DMWW data. Nitrate levels were extraordinarily high in other rivers, according to the Iowa Water Quality Information System. The Turkey River near Garber had a nitrate level of 18 parts per million. The Cedar River near Janesville reached 24 parts per million. And the Boone River near Webster City hit 25 parts per million. Iowa Capital Dispatch (Des Moines), May 12, 2024

A burn ban took effect in Brevard County as the Keetch-Byram Drought Index rose above 500. Florida Today (Melbourne, Fla.), May 8, 2024

Central Texas reported rainfall ranging from half an inch to 10 inches with some counties needing runoff to fill tanks and lakes. In other areas, excessive flooding was seen as numerous rivers and creeks flooded and closed many roads. Hail damage was also reported. Pastures were extremely wet and muddy, but the soil moisture was better than it has been in the past year or more. The light showers improved native pastures with Bermuda grass growing well. Wheat and oats were nearly grazed out and fieldwork was halted due to the rain. Many crops were receiving too much water, which hindered growth. Overall, crop conditions were good. Corn and sorghum looked great, but wind and rain caused some wheat and oats to lay down. Some cotton planting was delayed, but what was already planted was off to a strong start as long as it didn’t get drowned out. Winter wheat was ripening and growing closer to harvest. Hessian fly infestations in wheat didn’t develop, and its absence was attributed to parasitism. Livestock were in good condition with cattle reported to have good body condition. Market conditions looked great. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 7, 2024

The 2024 Wheat Quality Council’s Hard Winter Wheat Tour across Kansas ended on May 16. During the three days of wheat scouting, tour participants traveled six routes from Manhattan to Colby to Wichita and back to Manhattan. “The official tour projection for total production of wheat to be harvested in Kansas is 290.4 million bushels. This number is the average of estimated predictions from tour participants who gathered information from 449 fields across the state. Based on May 1 conditions, NASS predicted the crop to be slightly lower at 267.9 million bushels, with a yield of 38 bushels per acre. “These fields are still two to four weeks from harvest. A lot can happen during that time to affect final yields and production.” The three-day average yield for the fields that were calculated was 46.5 bushels per acre. While an estimated 7.5 million acres of wheat were planted in the fall, the Kansas wheat crop varies in condition depending on the amount of moisture received. Among the stressors affecting the wheat were freeze damage, drought stress and stripe rust coming on after it was too late to spray fungicide. High Plains Midwest Ag Journal (Dodge City, Kan.), May 7, 2024 The Kansas wheat crop looked promising at the end of winter, but a dry April has dashed hopes of a good wheat crop as it suffered from lack of moisture for much of the growing season, especially during the spring green-up. A Ford County farmer stated that the last decent moisture for the wheat came on February 5, and that drought had killed some tillers since then, with the wheat deteriorating rapidly. Area fields have swathes of brown which were mostly caused by drought. A Rice County grower saw his late planted wheat finally come up in January. The wheat was just knee-high due to drought. A McPherson County wheat grower needed rain. The crop received half of an inch in April, which was 2.5 inches less than normal. The wheat showed promise earlier in the winter, but the freeze damage and drought has caused the crop to wither away. Some of the wheat is not even producing a head very well. High Plains Journal (Kan.), May 7, 2024

Water catchment levels were low or nearly empty on some islands, especially in Yap State and the northern Marshall Islands. Saipan Tribune (Northern Mariana Islands), May 3, 2024

The San Marcos City Council approved an agreement that will allow the city to sell water rights to Kyle until the start of 2027. "San Marcos has supplies above and beyond their current needs within the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) permit limits and is willing to commit and make available, from its EAA-permitted water supply 500 acre-feet per year through the remainder of 2024, 2025, and 2026," according to city documents. The new deal would let Kyle buy San Marcos' water until the end of 2026. San Marcos would receive between $732,624 and $1,481,536 over the agreement term. The city's deal will not impact the Edwards Aquifer. MySA.com (San Antonio, Texas), May 8, 2024 The City of Kyle would like to purchase more water from San Marcos for its growing population. San Marcos is in Stage 2 drought restrictions, while Kyle is in Stage 3. San Marcos has ample water and may sell some of its Edwards Aquifer water to Kyle. Both city councils will vote on the water sale on the evening of May 7. KXAN (Austin, Texas), May 7, 2024

Weather conditions were slightly cooler than normal in Southwest Texas with moderate winds occurring throughout most of the daylight hours. Rain fell throughout the region, with amounts ranging from none to about 2.25 inches. More rain was in the forecast, and it was cloudy with humidity rising. Soil moisture was good, and crops were responding well. There was some pest presence with caterpillars heavy in trees. Ladybug presence was also relatively high, indicating a proportional response to pest insect presence. Final hay cuttings of cool-season grasses in the south generated a good supply of round bales. Forages continued to progress with consistent rain. Pastures were thriving, and continued fertilization and weed control was still evident. Supplemental feeding slowed as pasture and range conditions improved. Livestock conditions remained good, with producers still selling stock. Spring lambing and kidding was completed while spring shearing continued. Wildlife were more active with plenty to eat. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 30, 2024 Weather conditions were dry in southwest Texas, and the wind persisted. There were reports of rain showers, with some areas receiving hail. Overall, some areas received between 1-3 inches of rain. All corn was up, but some damage from hail was reported. The comparatively cool weather was helping to reduce evapotranspiration rates for the growing crops. Some wheat and oats were laid over due to high winds. Irrigated crops looked good. Pastures were green with animals grazing, while other land was tilled and seeded. Only a few pastures were flooded. After the storm, fields required a couple of days to dry before equipment was used on the soil. Pastures and rangeland look good. Producers were heavily supplementing livestock. Beneficial brush was slowly emerging. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 16, 2024 A few Southwest Texas counties reported an average of 1 to 2 inches of rainfall. Corn and sorghum continued to emerge with little failed germination. All row crops were reported to be in good to excellent condition. Rangeland and pasture conditions continued to improve due to mild weather and relatively wet conditions, as cool-season grasses and forbs flower and go to seed. The average cattle body condition was rated between 4 and 5. Livestock markets remained strong. Weed control and fertilization of pastures were evident. Spring shearing of sheep and goats continued. Bud break on mesquite began. Guajillo has started to emerge significantly and could greatly benefit from additional moisture. Irrigated crops were in good shape. Producers were still heavily supplementing livestock. Temperatures were within normal ranges. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 2, 2024 Weather conditions continued to be dry, with several days of windy conditions, which increased crop evapotranspiration and soil drying. Overall rainfall reported for the week ranged from 0.2 inch to 2.2 inches, with some areas receiving hail and experiencing cooler temperatures. Farmers were tilling the land in preparation for planting, with a few managing to sow seeds before the rain. Overcast weather for a few days helped alleviate conditions that would have otherwise created additional stress on the crops and soil moisture. The small rain showers did not significantly replenish subsoil moisture but may have initiated some growth in the pastures. Rangeland green-up began with wildflowers blooming. Corn planting was complete, while farmers were waiting for more rain to plant hay and milo. Hay was becoming increasingly scarce and was extremely costly. Spring shearing and late lambing and kidding continued, with livestock mostly in fair condition and under supplementation. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 19, 2024 Cool and windy conditions in Southwest Texas posed little threat to agricultural production, although dry conditions hindered further green up of cool-season forage. No precipitation was reported. Deciduous wild trees and pecans began budding and were expected to bloom in the coming weeks. Producers were starting to till their land in preparation for the planting season. Row crop production continued, and planting was expected to begin in late March. Corn planting continued. Irrigated winter wheat was in good condition. Dryland oats were a total loss, while irrigated oats were starting to head out. Pastures were green but needed more moisture to stimulate good spring growth. Coastal sandbur remained a problem, but lack of rainfall prevented most land managers from being able to apply pre-emergent herbicides. Producers were still heavily supplementing livestock and wildlife. Hay supplies were dwindling, and the body conditions of livestock and wildlife were deteriorating due to the lack of rain. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 5, 2024

Recent rainfall increased the water level of Osceola’s West Lake by 1.8 feet, but the lake remained about five feet below full pool. The request for residents to conserve water wherever possible continued. The Clarke County Hospital has reduced their usage by one-third. KCCI reported in February that the Clarke Community School District only uses bottled water for drinking. KCCI TV 8 (Des Moines, Iowa), May 2, 2024 Residential water users in Osceola were being encouraged to use bottled water to extend the city’s water supply as drought diminishes West Lake, the town’s main water supply. In October, town officials sought to use treated wastewater to refill West Lake. If the request were to be granted, Osceola would be the first community in Iowa to recycle treated wastewater to supply drinking water. Des Moines Register (Iowa), Dec 14, 2023

A wheat grower in Sherman County noted that some of his winter wheat had begun burning up for lack of rain lately. Successful Farming (Des Moines, Iowa), May 3, 2024

A burn ban took effect in Sarasota County as the Keetch-Byram Drought Index climbed above 500, drought conditions worsened and the chances of fire hazards rose. Outdoor burning was only allowed if a person has a permit. WTSP 10 Tampa Bay (Fla.), May 6, 2024

Multiple brush fires have occurred in Palm Bay in Brevard County in the past week. Water management authorities urge the public to be vigilant about the dry conditions. FOX 35 Orlando (Lake Mary, Fla.), April 30, 2024

Stage 2 water restrictions began in Edinburg on Monday, May 6 due to the drought and the insufficient water payments from Mexico. Stage 2 water restrictions were also in effect in McAllen and Mission in Hidalgo County, and Brownsville in Cameron County. Border Report (McAllen, Texas), May 2, 2024

Average rainfall in West Central Texas ranged from 1-2 inches this past week with soil conditions looking good. Several small grain fields were cut but were waiting to dry to bale. Warm season forages were being fertilized, and herbicide applied for weed control. Sorghum fields were starting good and some baling of wheat and oat fields continued as producers try to replenish depleted hay stocks while others were choosing to graze out fields. Weeds were abundant due to the rain and last two years of drought. Tree damage was seen on multiple species, including pecans having die back and live oaks dying from hypoxalon canker. Wheat remains in fair to good condition and cotton producers were spraying weeds and preparing fields for planting. Winter wheat has headed across the county and many producers have planted sorghum and sudan and have established stands. Pecan crops remain hopeful. Cattle were good as spring and summer grasses began taking off. Livestock remained in good condition. The market opened with good demand on most classes of calves and yearlings. Stocker steers and heifers both sold $5-$10 higher. Feeder steers and heifers sold steady from last week, as well as packer cows and bulls. Pairs and bred cows sold in good demand on a limited test. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 30, 2024 Severe thunderstorms hit parts of West Central Texas with high winds and hail. Temperatures ranged from the upper 60s to lower 90s. Producers cut some small grain fields for hay and increased field preparation for warm-season forage planting. Most pecan trees broke winter dormancy. Many producers were planting Sudan grass. Winter wheat needs moisture within the next week. Stock tanks needed good runoff to fill up before summer arrives. Weed management was an ongoing issue. Pasture and rangeland conditions were declining due to drier weather. Spring cattle work continued; cattle remained in good condition. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 16, 2024 Light rainfall in West Central Texas helped replenish topsoil and subsoil moisture, but more was needed to create runoff and improve rangeland and pasture conditions, as well as fill tanks and ponds. Winter wheat was improving and in good condition. Fieldwork continued in preparation for spring planting. Livestock remained in good condition as spring grasses were starting to grow. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 19, 2024

The high winds were rough on recently planted crops in the Texas Panhandle. Overall soil conditions ranged from adequate to short, and wheat yield prospects continued to decline with above-normal temperatures and windy and dry conditions. Irrigated wheat looked good, but the dryland declined as many fields were going into heading. The number of growers planting corn increased as mid-afternoon temperatures gradually warmed. Fields planted to alternative oilseed crops reached the bloom stage. Range and pastures were still greening up, and spring calving was ongoing. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 30, 2024 Rainfall amounts in the Texas Panhandle were minimal, and the distribution of precipitation was isolated. Numerous sprinkler pivots were being operated to build soil profile moisture before planting corn, cotton and other warm-season crops. Tillage operations continued across fields and have included the application of immobile nutrients in fertilizers, pre-plant herbicides and possibly insecticides. Cover crops in pivot fields received supplemental irrigation, and some will receive herbicides to terminate growth as spring planting season arrives. More rain was needed for wheat and rangeland to green up. Producers continued supplemental feeding of their herds. Stocker gains were great on wheat due to warm weather. Overall, soil conditions were reported from adequate to short. Pasture and rangelands were reported from fair to very poor. Winter wheat was reported good to poor. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 16, 2024 Although the Texas Panhandle remains very dry, snow events brought on by cold fronts delivered needed moisture to small grain and other species planted for cover and forage, dual-purpose or grain production. The effect of recent wind events was noticeable on fields lacking cover, whether a currently growing crop or carryover residue from the previous season. Wind speeds were generally low most days in March, reducing evaporative water loss at the soil surface and any supplemental irrigation efforts needed to increase soil moisture. Spring field work involving tillage, fertilizer additions and preemergent herbicide applications was underway on various farms in the area as growers prepared to plant warm-season crops later in April. All dryland wheat was suffering due to drought. Producers were actively irrigating in preparation for planting corn and cotton. Producers continued supplemental feeding for cattle. Rangelands were starting to green up. Overall, soil conditions were reported to be adequate to short. Pasture and rangeland were reported to be fair to very poor. Winter wheat was reported good to poor. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 2, 2024 The Texas Panhandle experienced mild temperatures and no precipitation. Corn, cotton and sorghum preplant activities continued. Wheat was beginning to grow rapidly. Precipitation was needed. Cattle were being supplemented on rangeland. Rangeland and pasture green-up started. Overall, soil conditions were reported to be adequate to short. Pasture and rangelands were reported to be fair to very poor. Winter wheat was reported good to poor. Livestock operators in several counties were beginning the recovery process after the devastating fires that began in late February. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 19, 2024