Drought
Federal and state water projects say they will provide little to no irrigation water to many agricultural customers, so farmers must calculate how much food they can grow with their limited supplies.
The USDA Crop Progress Report revealed 70% of South Dakota’s subsoil moisture is considered short to very short. One South Dakota farmer says it’s a dire situation, one keeping him from planting his corn crop yet.
Drier weather helped aid major planting progress for U.S. farmers last week, but it didn’t help the topsoil moisture situation. USDA’s Crop Progress report indicates 55% of the U.S. topsoil is considered ‘adequate.’
Much of the Ohio Valley states, and Iowa to Lower Michigan, had little to no precipitation this past week.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows from North Dakota to Texas, all the way west to California, the most severe levels of drought didn’t ease across the U.S. this past week.
North Dakota just endured its driest September to March ever on record. On Thursday, Governor Doug Burgum declared a state of emergency due to drought. Farmers are now forced to make tough decisions, early.
The western half of the country continues to see little moisture, and after a year of record government payments to agriculture, farm groups fear financial assistance this year will be tough to get passed in Washington.
2021 is off to a dry start and one meteorologist sees dry conditions expanding in the West over the next few months. So, could 2021 be a repeat of 2012? USDA meteorologist weighs in.
U.S. farmers are facing a changing scenario this year. From wet conditions impeding planting in 2020, to now drought concerns creeping in, one analyst thinks weather could be a major market mover in 2021.