Drought
Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) led their colleagues in requesting USDA to address ERP implementation issues. ERP helps producers offset impacts of natural disasters that occurred in 2020 and 2021.
Unfortunately, the heat, humidity and dry conditions of early summer look to extend into the next few months.
UNL says heavy rains across the nation this week may have eased the drought conditions in the short-term, but they won’t be enough for the long run.
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced agricultural producers have already received more than $4 billion through the Emergency Relief Program (formerly WHIP+), representing 67% of the $6 billion projected to be paid.
The combination of high temperatures and low precipitation is expanding the drought footprint across the country.
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.