AgNook.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Livestock
    • Crops
    • Business & Inputs
  • Markets
    • Market News
    • Market Analysis
  • Livestock
    • Cattle
    • Hogs & Pigs
  • Lifestyle
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Livestock
    • Crops
    • Business & Inputs
  • Markets
    • Market News
    • Market Analysis
  • Livestock
    • Cattle
    • Hogs & Pigs
  • Lifestyle
No Result
View All Result
AgNook.com
No Result
View All Result
Home News Crops

Parts of Western Corn Belt are Parched

Drought Conditions Intensify; Farmers Faced with Tough Choices

AgNook Editor posted by AgNook Editor
July 26, 2018
in Crops, Livestock
0
Parts of Western Corn Belt are Parched

Drought in Western Corn Belt

0
SHARES
1.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

This year, some regions of the Western Corn Belt have seen too much moisture, others have not seen near enough. The area from east-central Kansas to north-central Missouri has seen little to no rain. Crops are withering in the field and livestock don’t have much to eat or drink.

Drought Intensifies

Some areas are experiencing this drought worse than others. Farmers in Kansas and Missouri say the longer it doesn’t rain, the bigger the drought will get.

Producers have already begun culling cattle. They are making cuts where they can and have even had to dip into their hay supplies.

Kansas Farm Service Agency State Executive Director David Schemm announced last week that 43 Kansas counties are authorized for emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program acres beginning July 16. Emergency haying in these counties will end Aug. 15, with emergency grazing authorized through Sept. 30.

The USDA May Crop Production report showed farmers had 36.8% lower hay stocks compared to last year.

Twenty-five states witnessed year-over-year declines of 30% or more for May 1 all hay stocks, with only the upper Northeast, the Deep South, and four western states increasing May 1 hay stocks from the previous year.

Furthermore, nine of the 10 top cow-calf states are experiencing serious drought conditions.

Read more at agweb.com

Drought Spreads

The Southern Plains were dry this spring and the conditions spread north and east.

Northern Missouri, for instance, has generally had only 4 to 8 inches of precipitation since mid-April, said DTN Senior Ag Meteorologist Bryce Anderson. This would be anywhere from 50% to 75% below average, he said.

The dry conditions now extend from the Southern Plains into northern Missouri. Additionally, the conditions have moved into southeastern Iowa and western Illinois. Missouri was hit the hardest of those states.

Read more at dtnpf.com

Drought Resources

In certain situations, farmers are considering planting emergency forages when moisture conditions are rebound. These forages include millets or Sorghum-sudangrasses. This decision depends on the producer’s current forage supply and area.

Producers should also consider whether it is more efficient to move the cows to new feeding options, or to move the feed to the cows.

Culling cows to alleviate pressure on pastures is one strategy to decrease feed costs. But carefully evaluate which genetics need to stay on your operation.

Early weaning and selling of calves can help reduce feed costs. However, it can also hurt annual income so it is important to weigh the pros and cons.

Read more at agweb.com

We’re all hoping that there’s some rain in the forecast. If the drought continues, farmers will be facing some difficult choices.

Tags: AgWebCattlecropsDroughtDTNPFkansasLivestockMissourisorghumWestern Corn Belt

Previous Article

Making Farmers Great Again

Next Article

Will Biofuel Backers or Bashers Win Over Wheeler?

Related Content

More Trade Aid on the Way
Business & Inputs

More Trade Aid on the Way

November 11, 2019
Wisconsin Dairy Industry is Reeling
Livestock

Wisconsin Dairy Industry is Reeling

September 28, 2019
Farmers on “Freeze Watch”
Crops

Farmers on “Freeze Watch”

September 10, 2019
Pork Shortage Ag Nook
Livestock

China Develops New Solution for Pork Shortage

August 21, 2019
African Swine Fever Preparation Ag Nook
Livestock

States Arm Themselves With Knowledge When It Comes to African Swine Fever Preparation

July 31, 2019
Don’t Let White Mold Take Hold
Crops

Don’t Let White Mold Take Hold

July 15, 2019
Next Article
Will Biofuel Backers or Bashers Win Over Wheeler?

Will Biofuel Backers or Bashers Win Over Wheeler?

Newsletter

newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter for AgNook top stories each week!

Top Stories

More Trade Aid on the Way

More Trade Aid on the Way

November 11, 2019
Wisconsin Dairy Industry is Reeling

Wisconsin Dairy Industry is Reeling

September 28, 2019
Suicide Prevention Ag Nook

Farmers are Suffering and It’s Time to Take Action

September 14, 2019
Trump Delays China Tariff Increase

Trump Delays China Tariff Increase

September 12, 2019
Farmers on “Freeze Watch”

Farmers on “Freeze Watch”

September 10, 2019

Trending

Used Ag Equipment Baler JD 1000 Ag Nook

Used Ag Equipment on the Move

May 1, 2018
Sorghum Blue Skies with China Trade Tensions Residing Ag Nook

The Busy Grower’s Brief About China’s Sorghum Anti-Dumping Relief

May 21, 2018
Maximize Profits on Late Planting

Maximize Profits on Late Planting

June 13, 2019
Get Started with Cover Crops

Get Started with Cover Crops

May 5, 2018
Pinkeye Treatment Options for Cattle

Pinkeye Treatment Options for Cattle

April 15, 2018

Most Popular in the last week

Farmers for Trump Ag Nook

Trump Won’t Leave American Farmers Behind

July 17, 2018
In defense of ‘factory’ farming & ‘industrial, big ag’

In defense of ‘factory’ farming & ‘industrial, big ag’

February 27, 2018
Cattle Grazing Systems AgNook

The Secret to Successful Grazing

November 15, 2018
More research shows environmental benefits of AMP grazing

More research shows environmental benefits of AMP grazing

March 19, 2018
Pinkeye Treatment Options for Cattle

Pinkeye Treatment Options for Cattle

April 15, 2018
Facebook Twitter
AgNook.com

  • Terms of Use
  • Contact
  • About AgNook
  • Advertise With AgNook
newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter for AgNook top stories each week!

© 2018 AgNook, LLC

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Livestock
    • Crops
    • Business & Inputs
  • Markets
    • Market News
    • Market Analysis
  • Livestock
    • Cattle
    • Hogs & Pigs
  • Lifestyle

© 2018 AgNook, LLC

Don't miss out on AgNook top stories!
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our top news stories sent right to your inbox!