Ohio State Drought Rapid Response Team provides resources for farmers amid worsening weather conditions

COLUMBUS, Ohio - From brittle, brown lawns and cracked soils to dry ponds and crops, the signs are clear: A large portion of Ohio is again officially in a drought.

Parts of central, southeast, and southern Ohio are grappling with drought conditions that are wreaking havoc on local agriculture. The recent stretch of hot temperatures combined with scant rainfall has resulted in at least 63% of the state considered abnormally dry or worse, including 24% considered severe drought and 12% in extreme drought, according to the Aug. 22 updatefrom the U.S. Drought Monitor.

This prolonged dry spell has left pastures parched and forage availability critically low, forcing some farmers to confront a dire shortage of hay, said Garth Ruff, an Ohio State University Extension field specialist in beef cattle and livestock marketing.

"Farmers are facing mounting challenges as they struggle to sustain their livestock," Ruff said. "In areas where ponds, creeks, or springs have dried up, farmers are now hauling water daily, adding both cost and labor to their already strained operations.

"The deteriorating pasture conditions are pushing livestock growers to consider supplemental nutrition for their herds as they head into fall. Without significant rainfall, many may have to resort to early marketing of beef calves or, in the driest areas, culling animals to manage the dwindling resources."

Amid growing concern among farmers and producers statewide about what drought can mean for their crops and livestock, The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) has activated its Drought Rapid Response Team, which convenes weekly to monitor conditions and provide farmers, producers, gardeners, turfgrass managers, and others with information on how to manage a drought.

"Despite heavy rainfall across western and parts of northeastern Ohio, southern and southeastern counties have largely missed the most beneficial rains over the last 90 days," said Aaron Wilson, state climatologist of Ohio and OSU Extension's field specialist in agriculture weather and climate. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of CFAES.

"Combined with periods of hot temperatures, the soil has lost a tremendous amount of water due to evaporation, which has affected pasture conditions; lowered creeks, ponds, and private wells; and impacted grain fill across this portion of the state," Wilson said.

And the situation is likely to get worse, he said.

"The next seven days show that most of the state will not receive any rainfall over this period, while the six- to 14-day outlooks from the Climate Prediction Centershow temperatures are likely to be above normal with near- to below-normal precipitation," Wilson said. "With temperatures rising into the 90s this weekend, drought conditions are likely to persist or worsen across the state."

The team updates its Drought Conditions and Resourceswebpage to provide resources for Ohio's farmers, said Chris Zoller, OSU Extension interim assistant director, agriculture and natural resources.

He said the Drought Rapid Response Team was activated because OSU Extension was hearing from educators and specialists statewide about concerns farmers and producers were expressing about increasing drought conditions.

The team was activated last spring due to significant May precipitation deficits, and in 2019 for extreme flooding impacts on agriculture. The team assesses rapidly changing weather conditions; surveys ground impacts on agriculture, water, and soil; and ensures effective public communication and education to help clients respond.

"The Drought Rapid Response Team is part of fulfilling CFAES' and OSU Extension's land-grant mission through mobilizing people and resources to address issues of concern to crop and livestock producers in Ohio that are impacted by the drought," Zoller said. "We're here to serve Ohio by providing the best research-based information they need to make informed decisions as they deal with drought considerations.

"We're also coordinating and collaborating with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, as well as providing state and federal elected officials up-to-date information on what we're finding and recommending."

The drought webpage also provides links to numerous CFAES resources and newsletters, including information specific to agronomic crops, dairy, farm management, fruits, livestock, poultry, vegetables, wine grapes, and turfgrass. The information is especially timely and significant, considering that the rapidly expanding drought conditions are negatively impacting farmers and producers.

As it stands now, 43% of Ohio corn crop conditions are considered fair to very poor, while 44% of Ohio soybean crop conditions are considered fair to very poor, according to the Aug. 19 crop progress reportfrom the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service's Ohio Field Office. And more than half, 66% of pastures and ranges are considered fair to very poor, the report said.

As drought conditions persist, livestock producers are facing critical challenges in managing their herds. Jason Hartschuh, an OSU Extension field specialist in dairy management and precision livestock, said some farmers are concerned about forage availability and potential toxicity issues affecting cattle.

"When crops like corn and sorghum experience drought conditions, nitrates can accumulate in the plant," Hartschuh said. "Due to drought stress hindering active growth, plants fail to utilize these nitrates for protein synthesis, leading to potentially toxic levels.

Hartschuh explained that some producers normally use pastures to feed their livestock all summer, but this year, because of drought, they've had to feed their livestock hay. And without getting a second cutting on their hay crops, these folks might run out of hay this winter. "This scarcity could lead to increased production costs, as farmers may have to purchase feed instead," he said.

Many grain crop farmers are also feeling the heat.

"Drought stress during grain fill in corn and soybean means shortened grain-fill periods," said Stephanie Karhoff, OSU Extension field specialist in agronomic systems. "This leads to lower seed weights and yields, as well as premature maturity. Drought-stressed corn might also suffer from increased lodging issues.

"Lower corn yields also mean soil-residual nitrogen will be higher due to reduced nitrogen uptake."

Karhoff suggested that farmers consider planting overwintering cover crops such as cereal rye after fall harvest to retain this nitrogen. However, she cautioned that continued dry conditions might render this strategy unfeasible if soil moisture remains insufficient for cover crop establishment.

And some vegetable and specialty crop farmers have also been negatively impacted, said Logan Minter, OSU Extension field specialist inspecialty crops production systems.

"The hot and dry conditions this summer, following a mild winter, have exasperated and compounded issues in many vegetable and specialty crops with increased insect pest pressure," he said.

For up-to-date drought resources, visit go.osu.edu/ohiodrought.

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