Drought

The heat and drought in Louisiana this summer left grass in short supply for an Erath farm, leaving less for cattle. The pasture is in a marshy area, so the saltwater has been moving into the pasture, which has affected the calves. The aim is to have at least half of the calves weighing more than 500 pounds, but the lack of grass and saltwater intrusion have thwarted that plan. Just two of the calves have hit the weight goal. KLFY News 10 (Lafayette, La.), Oct 6, 2023

Northern Michigan has many wineries and is a 'wine tourism' destination. This year, drought over the summer stressed the grape vines, which can lead to excellent fruit quality and fabulous wine. UpNorthLive (Traverse City, Mich.), Oct 6, 2023

U.S. farmers were about halfway done planting winter wheat that will be harvested in 2024, but acreage was expected to remain the same or decrease from last year due to lower prices and farmers' dissatisfaction with the crop after three dry years. Reuters (Chicago), Oct 12, 2023

A Skagit County hay grower without irrigation found that his production was down 30%. He had to sell some cattle early. A nonprofit farm animal rescue organization that usually buys hay from the grower was struggling to find enough hay. A potato grower had to irrigate his potato field to help them emerge for the first time. Water was purchased from the Skagit Public Utility District. One farmer was not able to irrigate his crops for three weeks after the level of the Skagit River dropped too low. Early snowmelt, a lack of spring rain and low stream flows led the state Department of Ecology to declare a drought emergency in 12 counties in July, including parts of Skagit County. GoSkagit (Mount Vernon, Wash.), Oct 7, 2023

Mississippi cattlemen were spending more money to get their cattle ready to market. The ongoing drought has slashed hay production and left the cattle eating hay that was intended to be fed during the winter. WAPT Channel 16 Online (Jackson, Miss.), Oct 11, 2023

Crop yields have been higher than expected, but stalk stability has been an issue with strong winds knocking the corn stalks down. Farmers may have to compensate by harvesting more slowly, adjusting equipment and harvesting from a different direction to accommodate leaning stalks. Iowa Capital Dispatch (Des Moines), Oct 10, 2023

The Shenandoah city council voted to enact stage three water rationing as the town’s wells were low. Such rationing has not been needed in 23 years. Water levels were down 35%, based on a 5-year average. “In a normal year, we could run three or four wells and get the amount of water we’re getting currently,” according to the Shenandoah water superintendent. “But, since water levels are low due to the river being low — and no rain — we have to run all of the wells together at a lower setting.” KJAN AM-1220 & FM-101.1 (Atlantic, Iowa), Oct 11, 2023

Osceola was in a water emergency because the city’s only water source, West Lake, was five feet below normal. The city was exceeding safe withdrawal limits from the lake. It was prohibited to use water outdoors, except for fire and health hazard prevention. All commercial and industrial uses of water not essential in providing products or services was also prohibited. Water use not necessary for the preservation of life, or the general welfare of the community was also prohibited. Osceola officials also requested that the Southern Iowa Rural Water Association use another water source, if possible. KCCI TV 8 (Des Moines, Iowa), Oct 6, 2023

Some Spartanburg County customers of the Startex-Jackson-Wellford-Duncan Water District were surprised to find that their water was brown, due to the mineral content. Water was being drawn from deeper in Lyman Lake where the water has more minerals like iron and manganese. The water district switched to a secondary water source which should help with the discoloration. WSPA (Spartanburg, S.C.), Oct 3, 2023

Crops were about six weeks behind for a Picayune farm that grows pumpkins and corn for a maze. They aimed to plant the third week of July, but were not able to plant until Aug. 11. The lack of rain made the seeds slow to germinate and has forced the farm to push back its opening date several times. WLOX TV 13 (Biloxi, Miss.), Sept 29, 2023

The Little Rock Fire Department has had 83 calls for grass and wood fires in the month of September, which is unusual. KARK (Little Rock, Ark.), Oct 2, 2023

Permits for outdoor burning in Alabama were no longer being issued as of Oct. 6. Anyone burning a field, grassland, or woodland without a burn permit may be subject to prosecution for committing a Class B misdemeanor. Much of Alabama had seen an increase in wildfire activity. WSFA (Montgomery, Ala.), Oct 4, 2023

Wisconsin potato growers were harvesting a very good potato crop, in spite of the worst drought in the past 20 years. Yields were above average, and quality was excellent. WXPR-FM 91.7 Public Radio (Rhinelander, Wis.), Oct 10, 2023

Belton Lake was so low that grass was growing on the lakebed. The lake was 55.2% full on Oct. 9 and was more than 18.74 feet below its normal elevation of 594 feet above sea level. Killeen Daily Herald (Texas), Oct 9, 2023

Most of South Texas remained in moderate drought conditions after scattered rain showers delivered anywhere from 0.5-2 inches. Pastures were greening up, and temperatures remained in the mid- to upper-90s. Feed prices were high as ranchers and deer breeders supplemented livestock and wildlife. Many ranchers purchased hay they could find in preparation for the winter months. Quail populations looked healthy, and dove hunters were experiencing good hunts. Deer were plentiful, and many fawns were seen. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Oct 3, 2023

Hot, dry conditions persisted in Southwest Texas with isolated showers providing minimal relief. The reported average rainfall for the week was a half inch, with more chances of rain in the forecast. Many gardeners gave up on planting for the year. Cotton harvest was underway, and winter wheat emerged despite challenging growing conditions. Producers continued to sell livestock, and markets were holding steady. The supplementing livestock continued due to the lack of sufficient forage on rangelands. The ongoing dry conditions were taking a toll on vegetation, with trees and brush turning brown and grass essentially nonexistent. Diet supplementation was critical as sheep and goat breeding season began. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Oct 3, 2023

Scattered showers fell over Southeast Texas, ranging from 0.5-1.5 inches, but most of the district was still extremely dry. Rice harvest was completed, pastures were being mowed, and planting ryegrass for the winter started. Producers were tilling fields and planting winter forages for over-wintering livestock. Hay was fed to livestock and becoming harder to find in the area. Producers continued to cull cattle from their herds, but the number of cattle going to market dropped slightly. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Oct 3, 2023

Recent rains improved conditions in West Central Texas; however, much more was needed to grow grass before winter. Warm conditions allowed producers to prepare fields for oat and wheat planting, with a few beginning to sow. Trees continued to show severe drought stress. Some hay fields were being cut and baled. Aphid and armyworm pressure increased. Stock tank levels continued to decrease. Cattle looked good and supplemental feeding continued due to the lack of grass. The cattle market decreased slightly, but producers continued selling calves to reduce pressure on cows going into winter. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Oct 3, 2023

Daytime temperatures in Far West Texas were in the upper 80s to mid-90s, with overnight temperatures in the upper 60s to mid-70s. Rain varied in the region, anywhere from trace amounts to upwards of 1 inch. Soil moisture levels remained adequate to good. Cotton defoliation picked up as growers prepared for harvest. Most cotton fields failed due to drought and extreme heat and were shredded and plowed under. Lower grain sorghum yields were expected. Hay grazer and sunflowers headed out. Corn was harvested. Wheat planting slowed as most growers were waiting for some moisture before going much further. Pecan pods were cracking open, and harvesting should begin in three weeks. Livestock were in fair condition, and producers continued supplementing with hay and grain. More producers were taking livestock to the sale. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Oct 3, 2023

North Texas was very dry as temperatures continued to stay high. Topsoil moisture levels ranged from short to adequate. No wheat or oats were planted. All crops except cotton were harvested. Livestock conditions were fair to good. Pasture conditions improved in some counties, and pastures were still poor to fair due to drought. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Oct 3, 2023