Drought

On July 1, the U.S. cattle herd consisted of 95.9 million head of cattle and calves, per the latest cattle inventory report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Drought in 2022 continued to affect the size of the cattle herd. The total was 3% lower than the 98.6 million head on July 1, 2022, but higher than the 89.3 million head recorded as of Jan. 1 this year. Texas Farm Bureau (Waco), July 24, 2023

The week was extremely hot in the Panhandle with field conditions drying out fast, and temperatures reaching at or above triple digits. Irrigation systems were running where water was available. Producers were busy trying finish up planting and replanting summer crops. Wheat harvest was underway with average to slightly above average yields in irrigated fields. All crops needed rain. Corn was coming along but slightly behind on maturity levels compared to average years. Cotton was struggling in some areas and wilting under the extremely hot conditions, but other areas reported the crop was in good condition. Most pastures and rangeland were in good condition after recent rains helped grasses. Livestock were also in good condition with supplemental feeding happening on a very small scale. Producers finished bailing hay and wheat that replenished hay supplies. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 5, 2023 Supplemental feeding continued to take place in the Texas Panhandle on a small scale after rain improved conditions. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), June 21, 2023

Hot and dry conditions persisted in Southwest Texas. Pastures began showing drought stress while hay baling ceased. Forage density on rangeland was low to very low with brush- and drought-tolerant forbs dominating rangelands. Pecan orchards began producing nuts in the dough stage, and thinning was expected to begin soon if not underway already. Corn and sorghum were nearing harvest, and some producers had already begun corn harvests. Cattle markets were steady while sheep and goats were low. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 18, 2023 A heat wave continued to put high stress on agricultural production in Southwest Texas. Hot, humid conditions persisted, but rain ranging from 0.5-6.5 inches was reported over the weekend. Several locations reported 1-2 inches of rainfall. The rainfall will benefit later-planted corn and grain sorghum crops, cotton and pastures. Grain sorghum was coloring. Pecans were progressing. Grasshopper numbers remained high due to dry weather conditions; however, no significant damage was reported. Cotton was squaring but needed rain before plants begin to drop squares. Hay was being cut and baled, but rangeland and pasture conditions were declining in areas. Livestock markets were consistently high. Cooler temperatures were in the forecast. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 5, 2023 Little measurable precipitation was reported in Southwest Texas. Conditions were hot and humid, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and heat indexes beyond 110 degrees. The high temperatures were expected to deplete soil moisture levels from recent rains. The lack of subsoil moisture was becoming evident as crops that just received good rainfall were beginning to show moisture and heat stress. Pasture and rangeland conditions were declining and showing some signs of heat stress. Most corn, sorghum and cotton looked good. Hay was being made. Livestock were in fair to good condition, and markets were holding high. Wildlife was in good shape, but fawn survival numbers were a concern due to the hot temperatures. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), June 21, 2023

Residents of Katy were urged to conserve water as the extreme heat caused a sharp increase in water demand. The city was in stage 2 of its drought contingency plan. KHOU Online (Houston, Texas), July 24, 2023

Trees in the Quad Cities area were stressed by poor air quality and drought. The stress manifested as cupped, yellow or brown leaves. KWQC Online (Davenport, Iowa), July 24, 2023

Extreme drought is affecting parts of southeast Minnesota and stressing crops. Drought has hindered crop development along the Olmsted-Fillmore County line, and crops were showing deficiencies in important nutrients. Corn leaves were curling, while soybean plants were turning over their leaves. A Fillmore County farmer estimated the yields would be 50% of normal. Some years, it takes 70,000 kernels to make a bushel, but this year it may require 120,000 kernels because they are smaller. KTTC-TV Rochester (Minn.), July 24, 2023

A farmer near Cedarburg found that the soil was so dry that farmers have to get creative to get beets out of the ground. He described, "We kind of run it over with a tractor to bring that moisture up." FOX6 News Online (Milwaukee, Wis.), July 21, 2023

The city of Tomball entered a Stage 1 drought and recommended residents follow voluntary water conservation measures. Community Impact – Houston (Texas), July 19, 2023

The city of Tomball entered a Stage 1 drought and recommended residents follow voluntary water conservation measures. Community Impact – Houston (Texas), July 19, 2023

Low river and lake levels were causing problems for boaters in southern Minnesota. More propellers were being damaged in shallow waters, leading to more business for boat repair shops. CBS Minnesota (Minneapolis), July 17, 2023

The Arizona Game and Fish Department provides water for wildlife by using heavy-duty water trucks and helicopters to replenish water catchments. The Washington Post (D.C.), July 21, 2023

Ponds in Missouri were low and drying up further as drought conditions worsened across the state. Producers were hauling water to livestock. Brownfield Ag News (Jefferson City, Mo.), July 20, 2023

Intense drought conditions in Missouri were forcing cattle producers to sell more livestock than they normally would because pastures were drying up. Some were selling entire herds as the dry conditions meant that cattle needed their diets supplemented with hay and other grains earlier than normal. Some cattle producers never stopped feeding hay from the past winter. Flatland (Kansas City, Mo.), July 20, 2023

Grasshopper numbers were higher than usual this summer across much of Eastern Oregon. The grasshoppers reduced the yield from grass hay fields somewhat. They ate the grass as it grew, and stripped leaves from the alfalfa, leaving only stems. A rancher in the Keating Valley wore safety goggles while riding a four-wheeler to protect her eyes from the many grasshoppers. Capital Press (Salem, Ore.), July 21, 2023

Christmas tree seedlings were struggling and dying for lack of moisture. Newly planted seedlings on a tree farm in Linn County were dying. After the 2013 drought, a seasoned Christmas tree grower in Buchanan County learned to mulch and water each of his thousands of trees to help them withstand future droughts. Radio Iowa (Des Moines, Iowa), July 21, 2023

Below normal rainfall over much of Minnesota led the state Department of Natural Resources to place six watersheds in a Drought Watch Response Phase. The watersheds include the Mississippi Headwaters, Western Superior, Croix, Rainy River, Upper Mississippi-Black-Root and Upper Mississippi-Maquoketa-Plum. Four other watersheds--Des Moines River, Missouri-Little Sioux, Missouri-Big Sioux, Red River--remained in various drought response phases since the summer of 2022. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (St. Paul, Minn.), June 15, 2023

The St. Croix Watershed entered the Drought Warning Response Phase, which requires public water suppliers in the watershed to implement conservation measures intended to reduce water consumption to 50% above January levels. The affected counties are Anoka, Washington, Isanti, Chisago, Pine, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Carlton and Aitkin counties. KSTP-TV ABC 5 Minneapolis/St. Paul (Minn.), July 21, 2023

The Iowa DNR urged people to be careful at Lake Manawa in Council Bluffs due to the low water levels. The water was about 20 inches below the normal pool on account of drought. The low water made it challenging to unload and load boats. Oxbow lakes adjacent to the Missouri River were lower this summer due to drought conditions over the past few years, per the Iowa DNR. WOWT TV 6 (Omaha, Neb.), July 21, 2023

Stage 5 water restrictions were in effect for Dripping Springs starting July 20 as high demand for water left water storage tanks low. The water restrictions come after Stage 4 restrictions took effect on July 18 and during a Boil Water Notice for customers on Hwy. 290, according to the West Travis County Public Utility Agency. Community Impact - Austin (Texas), July 20, 2023

A pumpkin grower in Douglas County received an emergency use permit from the NRDC to pump water from another field to irrigate his pumpkins. Other area dry land farmers did not have a crop, due to the drought and inability to irrigate. Drought halved watermelon yield this year. KETV Newswatch 7 (Omaha, Neb.), July 20, 2023