Drought

Drought was causing the limestone county roads in Ellis County to break down. The surface had degraded into little pebbles that make it difficult for a vehicle to keep traction. County crews were working on the roads, trying to improve them by spraying water on them. KWCH 12 (Wichita, Kan.), Oct 3, 2023

Extension agents from Madison, Greene, Orange and Rappahannock counties also intend to seek disaster declarations for their counties as Culpeper County has done. Culpeper Star-Exponent (Va.), Oct 5, 2023

The Board of Supervisors approved a resolution requesting the Commonwealth of Virginia declare Culpeper County an agricultural disaster area due to ongoing drought. Drought from July 15 through Sept. 15 affected 682 farms in Culpeper, causing losses estimated at more than $7 million. Fifty percent of pastureland was affected by the drought, causing a loss of $3.9 million. A 30% shortage of hay during the summer harvest has resulted in an additional loss of $3.2 million. Wells were also at historic lows. There were 20% losses for corn and soybean, 50% loss for corn silage and 25% loss in wine grape tonnage, but grape quality was better than usual. Creeks and streams were dry, leaving one woman to water her 100 cows from a house well. Culpeper Star-Exponent (Va.), Oct 5, 2023

Louisiana’s sugarcane began to die during the summer, but rain revived it. The can was still stunted by the drought, which may result in a loss of 20% to 30% of the sugarcane being not usable. KATC (Lafayette, La.), Oct 5, 2023 The hot, dry summer was hard on Louisiana’s sugar cane and caused some of it to die. The crop is expected to be below average this year. While farmers often get 35 to 40 tons per acre, this year it may be closer to 28 to 30 tons per acre. KLFY News 10 (Lafayette, La.), Sept 22, 2023

Peoria area pumpkin growers have fewer pumpkins for their efforts this year, due to drought. Dry conditions delayed germination this year. WEEK (East Peoria, Ill.), Oct 2, 2023

Drought and the high cost of raising cattle were leading ranchers in North Texas and across the U.S. to keep smaller herds. Beef production is expected to decline by 24.7 billion pounds, a historic low, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Consumers can anticipate beef prices to rise to new highs at the grocery store. KERA Public Media (Dallas, Texas), Oct 2, 2023

Cattle sales were higher, according to the co-owner of the auction in Decatur, north of Fort Worth. Weekly sales moved up to 2,200 head, compared to a normal sale of about 1,200 cattle as grass and water were in short supply. Ranchers parted with older cows first, but were down to selling young calves at present. KERA Public Media (Dallas, Texas), Oct 2, 2023

Sunflowers at a Sound Bend farm bloomed later than usual, due to the dry weather, and were also shorter than usual, reaching about 4 feet in height. ABC 57 WBND-TV South Bend News (South Bend, Ind.), Oct 2, 2023

A Stage 1 Water Shortage Advisory was declared for Hendersonville beginning Sept. 29 at midnight, due to continued dry conditions within the water supply and lower-than-normal flow measurements on the Mills River. The city manager made the declaration to ensure an adequate water supply is available for essential use and public safety. A Stage 1 Water Shortage Advisory was last issued on Aug. 24 and rescinded on Aug. 29 as conditions improved. BlueRidgeNow.com (Hendersonville, N.C.), Sept 28, 2023

Recent dry conditions and a cold snap last year have taken a toll on Christmas trees, leaving them roughly ten inches shorter than they ought to be. Pumpkins and peaches were also affected. WBIR (Knoxville, Tenn.), Sept 27, 2023

The saltwater moving up the Mississippi River in southeast Louisiana threatens the health of citrus seedlings which are typically irrigated with water from the river. Citrus growers were trying to find alternate water supplies, such as desalination units, reverse osmosis machines and other means to reduce the salinity of the water to irrigate crops. The salt water should reach Belle Chasse in one to two weeks and will be a significant issue if it lasts for several months. Meanwhile, citrus growers were praying for rain. The Associated Press (Baton Rouge, La.), Sept 28, 2023

A sugar cane grower near Port Allen in West Baton Rouge Parish reported that his stalks were just five feet tall rather than about seven feet like usual. He expected to harvest 20% to 30% less than he typically does. Harvest will continue through the end of the year. WAFB-TV CBS 9 Baton Rouge (La.), Sept 28, 2023

The U.S. hydropower generation forecast fell by 6%, compared to last year, due to drought and heat in the U.S. Northwest this past spring and summer which lowered water supply. The Northwest generated 24% less hydropower in the first half of this year than during the same period in 2022. This year, the forecast was for 19% less hydropower generation in the Northwest than in 2022. About one-half of the country’s hydropower is generated in the Northwest. U.S. Energy Information Administration (Washington, D.C.), Sept 28, 2023

The first reverse osmosis filter arrived at the Pointe à la Hache water plant and should be operational in three days. The filter can remove salt from seawater and produce 500,000 gallons of potable water daily. WWL-TV (New Orleans, La.), Sept 28, 2023

Drought and fires in East Texas diminished hay production and supply. The lack of rain may also put a third cutting in question, and that hay is needed for feed during the fall and winter. Drought already has livestock producers feeding hay, which is expensive at $110 for a four-foot small bale. KLTV-TV ABC 7 (Tyler, Texas), Sept 22, 2023

Good yields of corn and soybeans could be found, but there were also disappointing yields. The lack of rain also resulted in herbicide carryover, and since corn and soybeans require different types of herbicides, drought can mean unwanted herbicide is leftover from the previous growing season. Sioux City Journal (Iowa), Sept 23, 2023

Soybean and corn yields in northeast Nebraska varied widely even within the same field after a summer of heat and drought stress. Fields of corn in Cedar County were cut for silage. Sioux City Journal (Iowa), Sept 23, 2023

Hendersonville officials asked residents to voluntarily curb their water use because the Mills River was lower than normal after a stretch of intense heat and lack of rain. A Stage I Water Shortage Advisory began Aug. 25. WLOS-TV ABC 13 Asheville (N.C.), Aug 24, 2023

The Mississippi Forestry Commission requested assistance from the South Central and Southeastern Wildland Fire Compacts, which includes all the southern states. Personnel and equipment are expected in coming days from Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. National Park Service were also expected to help. Fire behavior has been explosive south of Interstate 20. WAPT Channel 16 Online (Jackson, Miss.), Sept 27, 2023

Some fruits and vegetables normally sold at produce stands were nowhere to be found in Jackson as produce perished in the fields. A farmer in Smith County lamented that she lost from 25% up to 60% of various crops this growing season. She was irrigating plants that survived, costing as much as 40% more in electricity. The ground was so hard and dry in Smith County that a farmer could not disk the ground, affecting fall planting. WLBT Online (Jackson, Miss.), Sept 27, 2023