Drought
Record-breaking heat. Unprecedented flooding. Hail that proved to be devastating to corn fields in Nebraska. The extreme weather can all be attributed to a ridge of high pressure parked over the country.
Less than 50% of the continental U.S. is in moderate drought for the first time since November, but with another drought record still running strong, forecasts show drought could grow over the summer months.
Crucial Rains Finally Drenched Portions of Texas, Is It Enough to Save the State’s Crops and Cattle?
Texas received crucial rains this week, reviving farmers’ hopes of producing a crop this year. A dire drought situation already robbed farmers of their winter wheat, but rains are now sprouting hope for other crops.
Cotton planting sits at 7% nationwide, on track with the average, and as drought blankets the home of what’s known as the largest cotton patch in the country, dwindling crop outlooks are feeding cotton prices.
USDA’s first Crop Progress Report of the year showed only 27% of the nation’s winter wheat crop is rated “good,” far below the trade’s expectations. The numbers show the battle against drought is brutal in winter wheat.
USDA says the launch of the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) will address increases in supplemental feed costs in 2021. Phase 1 of the payments is expected to total $577 million.
Colorado farmer Brian Brooks thinks 80% of the dryland winter wheat in his area may not survive, as some acres didn’t even sprout. Prevent plant for spring may be his only option without moisture in the coming weeks.
Drought covering the continental U.S. grew by 2 points this week, now covering nearly 60% of the country. As the drought grips the Wheat Belt and key areas for cattle production, it’s creating concern for 2022.
More than 70% of the country is still covered in drought. And while the latest winter storm was packed with needed moisture for some areas, it didn’t blanket every area needing moisture to restore depleted soils.
As California farmers’ try to battle back from extreme drought, hope is coming in the form of snow. The state’s average snow water equivalent percentage of snowpack jumped from 19% on December 10 to 98% today.