Drought

Many wheat fields in Far West Texas appeared drought stressed as soil moisture was very short. Wheat field conditions varied from very poor to good, and was mostly poor to good. AgriLife (Texas A&M) (College Station, Texas), Feb. 4, 2020

Drought harmed Georgia’s pecan trees in the latter part of 2019, affecting development and possibly depressing the harvest. Georgia Public Broadcasting (Atlanta), Feb. 6, 2020

Many Virginia farmers were low on hay after a late summer and fall drought in 2019 reduced hay production and forced them to begin feeding hay early, cutting into winter supplies. Many farmers were searching for hay to purchase in state, but were finding that they had to purchase from neighboring states. Some parts of Virginia had adequate supplies, however. Hay prices were also higher than normal. Round bales were selling for $80 rather than the normal price of $40. Many pastures did not recover well after the drought, meaning farmers will have to feed longer than usual this spring. Culpeper Star-Exponent (Va.), Feb. 6, 2020

Six central Texas counties were declared a state of disaster by Gov. Greg Abbott, due to drought. The six counties were Bell, Burleson, Burnet, Freestone, Navarro and Williamson. KXXV-TV ABC 25 Waco (Texas), Feb. 6, 2020

A livestock producer on the Hildalgo/Starr County line reported poor grass growth as the area was in moderate to severe drought, with dry conditions beginning in October. He was spending $600 weekly on hay, and might have to sell his livestock if rain does not fall within the next month. KGBT-TV 4 Valley Central.com (Harlingen, Texas), Feb. 3, 2020

Some parts of South Texas missed the spotty rains, leaving soil moisture very short to adequate in places. Pasture and rangeland conditions were poor, leading to supplementation of feed and hay for livestock. Some producers were burning prickly pear for use as a supplement. Round bales sold for $80 per bale. Texas A&M AgriLife (College Station, Texas), Jan. 29, 2020

Central Texas stock tanks remained low from insufficient rainfall runoff. Texas A&M AgriLife (College Station, Texas), Feb. 4, 2020 Wheat in Central Texas was stunted from lack of moisture as much of the district was dry. Livestock were receiving supplemental feeding. Stock tanks were low. Texas A&M AgriLife (College Station, Texas), Jan. 29, 2020

Abundant rain in 2018 and early 2019 in the Midwest, followed by drought, limited the hay crop, leaving farmers very low on hay in early 2020. With hay supplies low, prices were high. The cost of a bale of hay is typically $5, but has risen to $12 per bale. Columbus Dispatch (Ohio), Jan. 23, 2020

Abnormal dryness along the coast of North Carolina led the state Drought Management Advisory Council to strongly recommend the implementation of drought response actions for affected areas. OBXToday.com (Nags Head, N.C.), Jan. 31, 2020

Recent rainfall in West Central Texas finally allowed winter grass to emerge. Livestock grazing was limited, and supplemental feeding continued. Texas A&M AgriLife (College Station, Texas), Jan. 29, 2020

Coastal Bend livestock producers continued to feed supplemental protein and hay, although hay supplies were tighter than normal. Recent rainfall stimulated pasture growth. Texas A&M AgriLife (College Station, Texas), Jan. 29, 2020

Many evergreen trees in the Louisville area appeared to have suffered damage during the intense late summer/fall drought. WLKY.com Louisville Channel (Ky.), Jan. 28, 2020

Due to dry conditions in eastern Colorado, topsoil was blowing and winter wheat needs more moisture before green-up. High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal (Dodge City, Kan.), Jan. 30, 2020

Above normal rainfall in December and January allowed the South Carolina Drought Response Committee to remove the drought status of 27 counties, leaving the entire state free of drought. The 27 counties that returned to normal condition were Aiken, Abbeville, Allendale, Barnwell, Calhoun, Chester, Cherokee, Clarendon, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lee, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Sumter, Union and York. Department of Natural Resources (Columbia, S.C.), Jan. 30, 2020 The South Carolina Drought Response Committee reassessed conditions and determined that drought had improved across the state, with a lowering or removal of drought designation in 38 counties. Three counties were in moderate drought, and 24 counties were in incipient drought. The committee planned to meet again in mid to late January to revisit the drought status. Orangeburg Times and Democrat (S.C.), Dec. 4, 2019 The South Carolina Drought Response Committee reassessed conditions for the state on Oct. 31 and found that recent rainfall eased conditions somewhat, but that more rain was needed to end drought. Eleven counties transitioned from moderate to incipient drought, joining three counties already at incipient drought. One county went from incipient drought to normal, for five counties in normal condition. Twenty-seven counties remained in moderate drought. Forage production was down after the summer drought, leaving farmers hurriedly planting fall grazing and hoping for moderate temperatures and continued rain to promote growth. Department of Natural Resources (Columbia, S.C.), Oct. 31, 2019 The South Carolina Drought Response Committee announced that the drought statuses of most counties will remain the same through the fall. Beef producers were feeding hay early, soil was very dry for planting winter grazing, and row crop yields were reduced in affected counties. Department of Natural Resources (Columbia, S.C.), Oct. 17, 2019

Rare salt formations have appeared along the shores of the Great Salt Lake, which is low due to drought and water diversion. The formations occur as water bubbles up to the surface from warm, sulfate-rich springs, encounters cold air and separates into mounds of mirabilite. Idaho State Journal (Pocatello), Jan. 10, 2020

A drought watch for Auburn has ended after Lake Oglethorpe, the city’s primary reservoir, was replenished to full capacity. The watch took effect in early December. No drought-related water restrictions were in effect. WTVM-TV News 9 Columbus (Ga.), Jan. 22, 2020

Citrus growers in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley were worried about the absence of rain this winter and fear it will mean less irrigation water this summer. KRGV-TV Channel 5 Weslaco (Texas), Jan. 18, 2020

Warm, dry weather led officials in Texas County to renew a two week burn ban in the county. KFDA-TV Newschannel 10 (Amarillo, Texas), Jan. 13, 2020

Potter County commissioners approved a 90-day burn ban as the region endured warm, dry weather. KFDA-TV Newschannel 10 (Amarillo, Texas), Jan. 13, 2020

Near-normal rainfall and more rain in the forecast ended the Stage 1 water shortage for Upcountry Maui. Maui Now (Kahului, Hawaii), Jan. 7, 2020 The Maui County Department of Water Supply asked water customers in West, Central and Upcountry Maui to continue to voluntarily conserve water despite recent rain as overall dry, warm conditions persisted. Maui News (Wailuku, Hawaii), Dec. 19, 2019 The Stage 1 water shortage declaration for the Upcountry remained in effect. Maui News (Hawaii), Oct. 18, 2019 Upcountry Maui residents were asked to limit non-essential water use as El Niño conditions, extreme heat and an early start to the dry season dropped water levels and drove up water use. A Stage 1 water shortage took effect on May 24. With less water for irrigation, farmers will be forced to reduce planting. Maui Now (Kahului, Hawaii), June 21, 2019 The Maui County Department of Water Supply declared a Stage 1 water shortage for the Upcountry. The restriction, calling for a voluntary 10 percent reduction in water use, took effect on May 25 and was put into place in preparation for drier conditions over the summer. Affected communities included Haiku, Makawao, Olinda, Pukalani, Kula, Haliimaile, Omaopio/Pulehu, Keokea/Waiohuli, Ulupalakua and Kanaio. Maui News (Hawaii), May 25, 2019