Winter Drought Has Farmers Concerned

This Week In Ag #155

In like a lion, out like a lamb. That’s how March weather has long been described. But farmers don’t care if they hear a roar or a baa right now, as long as they hear thunderclaps. And lots of them.

Over 2/3 of the USA is experiencing at least moderate drought conditions; one-quarter of the country is in a severe drought or worse. This goes beyond the usual suspects. No parts of California are even affected.

I saw planters rolling in Texas last week. We’re weeks away from seeing widespread field work across the fruited plain. And much of the USA’s major crop-growing regions are seriously impacted by low moisture.

Over 80% of Illinois is in a drought, 35% in severe drought and 13% in extreme drought. These severe/extreme areas are located in the middle of the Prairie State, home to the most fertile soil in the world. This severe drought swath extends across the top farmland of Indiana. It also impacts the Cornhusker State, where 77% is in drought and Missouri with 56%.

Among the SEC states, the only thing drier than their recent college football fortunes is their soil.  Over 98% of Arkansas is in a drought. Virtually all areas of Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas are impacted, as are Texas and Oklahoma. And over two-thirds of Florida is in an extreme drought.

You may be thinking, why worry about winter drought, especially when most crops aren’t even planted yet?

Snow and rain during the offseason is critical for recharging subsoil moisture. This is the layer that begins about a foot below the surface and can extend about six feet. It can provide a bank of water that roots can reach during the season. This helps the crops perform productively even during periods of low rainfall. Lack of subsoil moisture puts crops at risk and often leads to yield reductions. So yes, the moisture you get, or don’t get, in the winter can impact crop production several months later.