Drought

South Plains farmers continued to benefit from recent rainfall. Some producers started irrigating due to drying conditions. Rainfall amounts ranged from 0.7-1.5 inches in some areas. This moisture should allow many producers to keep their irrigation systems turned off for at least another week. Producers were scouting fields for pest, disease and weed issues. Cotton progress ranged from seven to 14 true leaves with 85% of fields at square set. Peanuts were blooming with pegging following strongly as well as pods were beginning to swell and form. Irrigation was critical at this point for peanuts. Cattle were in good condition with native grazing grasses in good condition. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 18, 2023

Topsoil conditions in East Texas were short, while subsoil conditions were adequate, and the soil was drying out very quickly. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good. Extreme heat and lack of rain slowed hay production to a crawl, but many producers continued to cut and bale between sporadic rainfall. Pastures were showing signs of drought stress. Livestock were doing fair to good. Cattle market prices still looked good. Grasshopper infestations were reported in Cherokee and Smith counties. Wild pigs remained an issue for producers and landowners. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 18, 2023

Spotty rain showers delivered relief to a few areas in the Rolling Plains, but overall, the weather was extremely hot and dry. Conditions were starting to have a negative impact on quality and quantity of pastures and summer forages. Several counties were reporting large numbers of grasshoppers on the move. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 18, 2023 A few areas in the Rolling Plains of Texas caught much-needed rains and relief from high temperatures. However, most areas reported extremely hot and dry conditions. Wheat harvest and cotton planting were completed. Cotton looked poor so far in areas that did not receive rain. Rain was needed to maintain or improve livestock grazing conditions and fill water tanks. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 5, 2023

Conditions were extremely hot in West Central Texas with highs over 100 degrees daily. Soil moisture levels were extremely low, and all areas needed rain. Dry weather and heat slowed forage and crop growth and weed problems were increasing. Stock tank water levels were declining. Rangeland and pastures were showing signs of heat and moisture stress. Some hay cutting and baling occurred, and some producers were preparing for a second cutting, but pastures were starting to burn up. Good hay yields were reported this season. Sudan grass was cut and baled. Livestock looked good, and the cattle market remained high. Sheep and goat prices were a mixed bag. Cotton was planted and in fair to excellent condition. Some early planted cotton looked excellent while later-planted fields were struggling in the heat. Corn fields looked excellent though some fields were damaged by wind and replanted late. Pest pressure was high. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 18, 2023 Conditions were extremely hot and humid in West Central Texas with high temperatures over 100 degrees. Isolated locations received trace amounts of rain up to nearly 1 inch, but soil moisture levels were declining in most areas. The heat was taking a toll on crops and pastures. Grasses were turning brown. Fields that were not plowed were too hard to work. Hay harvests continued, and producers were cutting Sudan grass. Pasture and rangeland conditions were declining rapidly and showing signs of heat stress. Livestock body conditions were holding, and a few producers were putting out hay bales. Stock tanks were running low on water. Cattle prices were steady to higher, and demand for stockers was high. Producers finished planting and replanting cotton. Cotton progress ranged from squaring to emerging. Irrigated cotton and early planted dryland fields were in good condition but will need rainfall soon. Some young cotton was struggling along with corn and sorghum. Wheat harvest was complete. Pest pressure was increasing. The pecan crop outlook was poor to good depending on the variety. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 5, 2023 Scattered showers were reported in West Central Texas early in the week, but conditions were mostly dry, hot and humid. Forecasts called for temperatures at or above 100 degrees over the coming weeks. High temperatures were drying the soil profile out quickly. Producers were cutting and baling hay, but conditions were very humid. Wheat fields were being harvested for grain with reports of 30-55 bushels per acre. Some wheat fields were plowed. Cotton planting was in full swing, and some fields were emerging. Some cotton was replanted due to storm damage. Corn and sorghum were doing well following rains. High temperatures were starting to stress some sorghum fields. Pecan growers were still expecting good yields. Rangeland and pasture conditions continued to improve, but many areas were still recovering. Weed pressure was heavy in pastures. Cattle and livestock looked good. Stocker cattle prices were down some while feeder prices were up. Stock tanks needed more water but were in much better condition. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), June 21, 2023 Grazing conditions improved in West Central Texas, but some rangelands were still recovering from overgrazing during the drought. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), June 6, 2023

Continuous 100-plus degree days and wind have dried out the Far West Texas topsoil and were stressing crops, pastures and livestock more each week. The farthest western portion of the state reported trace amounts of rain up to 0.5 of an inch with some hail. Many cotton farmers were plowing under late-planted crops due to excessive heat, and older cotton was struggling. Dryland cotton was beginning to bloom with only 2-3 squares on the plant, and irrigated cotton was slowly blooming more each day. Stress was taking its toll as yield potential continued to decrease. Lygus bugs, spider mites and stink bugs were increasing in the area. Irrigation allotments in the El Paso area were up to normal. Cotton under irrigation in that area looked very good, especially Pima fields. Corn was drying down quickly, and sorghum was flowering. Melon harvest continued, and yields were starting to increase. Pecans looked very good with minimal pecan nut casebearer pressure reported. Most dryland pastures were completely brown with no green to be found. Very little grass remained in pastures except in bottomland. Brush was an ongoing battle, with ranchers struggling to keep up. Livestock were in fair condition, and producers started supplementing with hay. Alfalfa producers continued to cut and bale, and production was good. Rangelands were bare, but some small flood irrigated pastures looked very good. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 18, 2023 Temperatures in Far West Texas were in the triple digits before dropping into the upper 90s with a few isolated showers that delivered trace amounts of rain. Cooler temperatures toward the end of the week eased the stress in cotton that had been suffering since it emerged. Irrigation was not keeping up with demand, and subsoil moisture was very short. Despite cooler temperatures, hot, dry winds continued to blow, which damaged crops and prevented herbicide applications. The earliest planted cotton was blooming. Some grain sorghum fields were beginning to head out, and melons should be ready for harvest soon. The first picking will most likely be light this season. Early planted corn looked decent as it pollinated before the extreme heat. However, later-planted corn showed poor kernel set and most all fields were burning up due to lack of moisture and not enough irrigation to keep up with demand. Pastures and rangelands were drying up rapidly and there was very little grazing available. Ranchers shipped all lambs off, and some goats were left to market. Ranchers continued to supplement livestock diets. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 5, 2023 Subsoil and topsoil moisture levels in Far West Texas were declining. Extremely high temperatures impacted all crops and pastures over recent weeks. A summertime heatwave hit the Big Bend region with highs in the 90s in the higher elevations and around 100 degrees along the river. Daytime temperatures were in the 100s across the district with nighttime lows in the 70s. Skies were overcast but no rain was reported. Dryland crops were suffering. Most cotton was in the four to five true-leaf stage with the late-planted fields at cotyledon to first true-leaf stage. Corn was pollinating, and pollination suffered under high temperatures. Sorghum was close to the boot stage. Watermelons and cantaloupes were making progress. Pastures were drying out. Brush was a major issue, and producers were working on brush control. Most cotton farmers planted after beneficial rains improved growing conditions, but young plants will need rain soon. More rainfall was in the forecast. Livestock were in fair condition, and producers began shipping lambs. Pecan orchards looked good. Alfalfa fields were in good condition as well. Many producers planted Sudan grass. Weeds continued to be an issue. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), June 21, 2023 Rain in Far West Texas helped green up rangeland and pastures, but many areas were still in poor condition. Irrigated pastures looked very promising, but some desert rangeland remained very dry. Producers continued to feed livestock and wildlife. Rio Grande River water was low. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), June 6, 2023

Topsoil and subsoil conditions in South Texas continued to deteriorate due to the wind, heat and no precipitation. Cotton was suffering from extreme heat and lack of moisture. Most cotton fields were about 70% open bolls, and some later planted fields were displaying 35% open bolls. Grain sorghum harvest was almost done, and corn harvest was about 60% done. Some late-planted grain sorghum fields were yet to be harvested, and some were expected to be plowed under because they did not make a crop. The sesame crop was starting to mature. Cotton was about two weeks away from the start of harvest, and some producers were still irrigating and hoping for higher yields. Citrus and sugarcane crops were being irrigated. Hay producers were baling and irrigating meadows for future cuttings. Cattle not feeding calves were in good condition, but the cows with calves looked thinner. Cattle prices remained high. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued. Pastures were rapidly deteriorating. Considering the circumstances, livestock and wildlife still looked good. Range cubes, protein/mineral/molasses and hay were being fed to livestock. One sale reported increased volumes of all classes of beef cattle and strong demand. Cattle prices were high at two local markets. Feed prices continued to be high at local feed stores. Wildlife were being provided supplemental feed and water. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 18, 2023 Conditions were very hot. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels continued to decline. Irrigated cotton continued to develop and started to set bolls. Peanut planting was completed, and fruit and vegetable production was slowing. Early planted peanuts were pegging. Corn fields were in the denting stage or drying down. Grain sorghum, sunflower and corn harvests were underway in some areas, and yields looked good. Dryland and irrigated cotton were showing heat stress, and plants were showing wilted leaves and shedding bolls and squares. Whiteflies were reported in cotton. Citrus and sugarcane were being irrigated. Sesame fields looked good. Hay grazer and Bermuda grass fields were being cut and baled, and producers continued to provide supplemental feed. Livestock conditions remained good, but pastures were burning up. Hay supplies were improving from recent production. Livestock and wildlife were in good condition, but body conditions were in decline due to heat stress. Quail pairs had not produced hatchlings. Rangeland conditions were declining. Beef cattle markets reported higher sale volumes as producers culled deeper. Producers were supplying water for livestock and wildlife. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 5, 2023 Supplemental feeding decreased for all livestock in South Texas, but some stock tanks were beginning to dry up. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), June 6, 2023

The weather in Central Texas was hot and dry, and crop and pasture conditions declined. Soil moisture was very short to short. Light scattered showers were reported, but drought conditions increased and tanks that were beginning to fill up started to go dry again. Temperatures remained over 100 degrees with heat indexes up to 115 degrees. Lawn watering restrictions became more widespread. Rain will be needed to grow adequate grass for additional hay cuttings. First-crop corn was harvested for silage, and second-crop corn acreage was expected to be down drastically due to lack of moisture. All pastures and crops were suffering from drought and heat. Wheat harvest wrapped up, and sorghum was cut. Cattle were in fair condition with some hay being fed. Calves were being weaned. Pasture and rangeland conditions were poor to good. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 18, 2023 Central Texas saw limited rainfall coupled with another week of 100-plus degree days with even higher heat indexes. Soil moisture levels were short. Dry and hot conditions were affecting all crops. Hot, dry wind depleted soil moisture quickly. Pastures were beginning to turn brown. Hay baling continued but slowed due to the lack of new growth. Rangeland and pasture ratings were poor to fair. The wheat harvest was winding down, and corn silage harvest was underway. Sorghum fields were colored. Cotton was mostly in bloom. Some dryland sesame fields were planted. Fiber hemp was holding on in the heat but needed rain to improve fiber yield. Fly and tick numbers started increasing. Livestock were in good condition. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 5, 2023 Dry conditions returned to Central Texas with above normal temperatures and humidity. There were a few scattered storms throughout the district. Soil moisture was short to adequate. Pastures continued to improve with warm weather and late spring rains. Good quality grazing was available, and the first hay cutting produced good yields. Pasture and rangeland conditions were beginning to deteriorate under dry, hot conditions. Corn reached firm dough to dent stage with the 100-plus degree daily temperatures. Later-planted corn was getting short of moisture for final filling, which may trim off the excellent yields previously expected. Overall, corn was expected to produce above the long-term average yields. The wheat harvest was complete with varying yields. Cotton began squaring. Fleahopper populations built up in ditches and rangelands and have now begun to move into cotton fields. Sorghum progressed nicely and avoided many insect problems so far. Livestock were in good condition, and prices remained steady. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), June 21, 2023

Conditions in the Coastal Bend were extremely hot and dry, and rain was badly needed. Drought conditions and extreme heat were devastating for cotton fields that needed to fill bolls. Fruit shedding continued and yield potential continued to suffer. Sorghum harvest should be completed soon, and some later-planted fields were likely to be reported as failed. Most corn harvesting wrapped up with yields at or above average. Rice was nearly all headed out. Pasture conditions were rapidly deteriorating and drying out. Hay fields needed rain as hay baling continued. Available forages were getting short in some pastures. Livestock were doing well. Cattle prices were at historic highs, and cattle were in good condition. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 18, 2023 Topsoil moisture continued to decline with hot, dry conditions. Corn was in the dry-down stage. The dry-down stage was sped up by the last three weeks of 90-plus degree days and dry weather. Sorghum harvest was underway, and some corn was being harvested. Rice was 75% headed out. Pecan trees began shedding nuts due to dry conditions. Most first cuttings of hay were complete. Rangeland and pasture conditions continued to decline. Improved pastures were drying up fast. Livestock markets were holding strong, and cattle were doing well, but rain was needed for grass growth. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 5, 2023 Hot, dry, and humid conditions in the Coastal Bend were taking a toll on pastures and crops. Crops were still doing well with the vast spring rainfall. Corn was doing well but was expected to decline in the 100-degree heat predicted for the next week. Grain sorghum was coloring. Corn and grain harvest should begin within the next few weeks. Furrow irrigation for cotton continued where available. Early planted rice was beginning to head. Rice water demand was expected to increase under extreme heat. Hay harvest continued with huge yields reported. Cattle remained in good condition, and market prices were steady. AgriLife (Texas A&M) (College Station, Texas), June 21, 2023

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte called on the federal government to recognize 11 counties as primary natural disaster areas. The 11 counties include Flathead, Lincoln, Glacier, Toole, Sanders, Lake, Pondera, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, and Sheridan and were affected by moderate to severe drought. KECI-TV NBC 13 Missoula (Mont.), July 25, 2023

Stage III water restrictions were enacted in Victoria to conserve water. Sparse rainfall and low water flow in the Guadalupe River limited how much water the city can pump from the river. The aim was to reduce water usage by 10%. Crossroads Today (Victoria, Texas), July 26, 2023

Missouri’s Drought Assessment Committee met on Tuesday, July 25 as drought continued. Eight fish kills have occurred across the state, due to low water and reduced oxygen in the water. Record-breaking cattle sales continue to take place at sale barns. At a livestock barn in Calloway County, a sale lasted more than 27 hours and sold more than 5,000 head of cattle for the barn’s largest sale in its history. Conditions are right for aflatoxin in the corn crop, according to the deputy director for the Department of Agriculture. Feed businesses will need to monitor very closely for the toxin because it can be fatal for livestock. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers warned that navigation on the Mississippi River could be affected by low water levels within weeks. Flows were about average in mid-May, but fell after that. The Department of Agriculture offers a mental health resource for those in the farming community. The AgriStress hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Producers can call or text 833-897-2474 to speak to a healthcare professional. FOX 2 Now (St. Louis, Mo.), July 26, 2023

Pumpkin vines in Knoxville were not growing or setting fruit as quickly as desired, due to drought. KNIA KRIS (Knoxville, Iowa), July 24, 2023

Missouri ranchers continued to sell cattle herds as drought limited grass growth. Some corn growers were cutting stunted corn early for cattle feed. Missouri ranks third in the country for beef production after Texas and Oklahoma. St. Louis Post-Dispatch Online (Mo.), July 25, 2023

The Army Corps of Engineers initiated a drought watch for the Mississippi River and was closely monitoring water levels as drought persisted. Flooding was an issue in April, but the lack of rain since then has the corps making sure that there was adequate water in the lock channels for ships to pass. KTTC-TV Rochester (Minn.), July 25, 2023

Canyon Lake has dropped to 894.70 feet as of July 26, just two feet above the lowest water level ever recorded. The lake fell to 892.70 feet on Sept. 9, 2009, per the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Just one of nine boat ramps listed on the Comal County Engineer’s Office website was reported to be open. MySanAntonio (Texas), July 26, 2023

Spokane city officials urged residents to curb their lawn watering as the level of the Spokane River dropped and moderate drought took hold. For the first time, Level 2 drought response measures were put in place as the flow of the Spokane River fell below 1,000 cubic feet per second. Spokane Spokesman-Review (Wash.), July 25, 2023

Brazos County officials approved a 90-day burn ban, due to the lack of rain and the heightened fire danger. Many other counties in the region have also adopted burn bans, including Milam, Robertson, Leon, Houston, Lee, Burleson, Madison, Walker, San Jacinto, and Austin counties. KBTX (Bryan, Texas), July 25, 2023

Seeds in northeast Indiana did not germinate immediately or was delayed by lack of soil moisture, leading to wide variation in crop growth, which may affect crop yield. WANE 15 (Fort Wayne, Ind.), July 24, 2023

Crop conditions were deteriorating in Iowa as soil moisture declined and temperatures rose. Only 63% of the corn and 58% of the soybeans were in good to excellent condition, much lower than at the same time last year. WHO-TV 13 (Des Moines, Iowa), July 24, 2023

After a dry winter and spring, some Nebraska cornfields germinated and eventually tasseled at different times and heights in the same field. Dry weather has kept disease pressure low, but recent rainfall could change that. Farm Progress (St. Charles, ill.), July 24, 2023