Severe Drought Grips Central U.S., Raising Alarms for Agriculture and Water Systems

Jun 30, 2023

The central United States is in the throes of a severe drought, posing significant challenges for agricultural activities and water resources. This drought, considered the most severe since 2012 in some areas, draws comparisons to the devastating 1988 drought that ravaged corn, wheat, and soybean crops. Despite moderate temperatures, the lack of rainfall has emerged as a pressing concern.

The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that nearly half of Kansas and a quarter of Nebraska face extreme or exceptional drought conditions. Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, and Kentucky are also grappling with arid conditions. The growing frequency and intensity of droughts and altered rainfall patterns can be attributed to the emission of greenhouse gases, as highlighted in a recent study published in Nature Water.

Agricultural impacts are already evident, with only 50% of the U.S. corn crop rated as good or excellent, marking the lowest percentage since 1988. Drought now affects around two-thirds of the nation's corn-growing regions. Economists project a potential reduction of approximately 1 billion bushels from the original estimate of 16.7 billion bushels, placing significant economic strain on farmers.

Furthermore, the drought's effects are cascading through water systems and rivers. The Mississippi River, particularly in southern Illinois and beyond, is experiencing record-low water levels, impacting barge capacity and transportation. Communities along the river, still recovering from losses incurred during last fall's drought, are bracing for further challenges.

Despite lingering hopes for relief, the situation demands substantial rainfall. Although the El Nino weather pattern typically signals improved conditions, seasonal projections indicate below-average rainfall for the summer months. Consequently, the drought's persistence may exacerbate agricultural vulnerabilities and heighten concerns over water availability in the central U.S. region.

Source : wisconsinagconnection

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.