Senate Ag Subcommittee

Drought Developing in Parts of the Southeast

Clint Thompson Drought

There is growing concern among many landowners across the Southeast, especially in parts of Florida, with a potential drought expanding. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey explains. Rippey shares how increasing drought development is impacting both municipalities and agriculture in Florida. But Rippey says Florida is not the only part of the Deep South experiencing drought development in recent days.

natural disaster

Six South Carolina Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Dan Drought, Industry News Release

Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available (USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated six South Carolina counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Bamberg, Calhoun, Kershaw, Lexington, Orangeburg, and Richland counties who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans.  This natural disaster designation …

alabama

Alabama Producers Harvest Crops Despite Widespread Drought

Dan Alabama, Corn, Cotton, Drought, Peanuts, Soybeans

Widespread drought continues in Alabama, as nearly 84 percent of the state is in severe drought. In fact, 55 percent of the state’s soil and subsoil moisture is reported to be “very short.” Even with these conditions, producers are still hard at work bringing in this year’s crop. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), 96 percent of the …

Georgia counties

South Carolina Drought Affecting Crop Yields

Randall Weiseman Drought

By Karla Arboleda Coupled with high temperatures, the recent drought in South Carolina is affecting crop yields in peanuts and cotton. The combination of hot and dry weather will result in lower crop yields, according to Charles Davis, a county Extension agent at Clemson University. Peanut and cotton harvests are underway. Davis explained how yield results also depend on the …

Georgia counties

Two Alabama Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Dan Alabama, Drought, Environment, Industry News Release

Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA-Oct. 10, 2019) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Chilton and Shelby counties who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans.  This natural disaster designation allows …

usda

RCPP Partner Portal is Now Open and Accepting Applications

Dan Drought, Environment, Soil, USDA-NRCS, Water

We told you last week that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) had announced the launch of the updated Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Potential partners are encouraged to submit proposals that will improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. This week, NRCS put out a reminder that the RCPP Partner Portal is open …

southern

Drought in Southeast Takes Toll on Pasture Conditions

Dan Cattle, Drought, Livestock

While relief from heat and dry conditions across the Southeast is in the forecast for some areas, the lack of topsoil moisture continues to be a major factor. According to a story from Stephanie Ho, poor pasture conditions in our area and other parts of the country largely reflect areas where there is drought.

infrastructure

Fried to Roll Out Climate Change Priorities

Dan Climate Change, Drought, Drought, Environment, Florida, Industry News Release, Water

(NSF-Oct. 2, 2019) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Thursday plans to roll out legislative priorities focused on climate change. Warning of greater coastal flooding and more powerful hurricanes, the package will address issues such as renewable energy, farm resilience, climate adaptation, new funding sources and financial incentives, Fried said Wednesday as she helped open the Florida Energy and Climate …

alabama counties

Alabama Extension Offers Drought Resources

Dan Alabama, Drought, Environment, Weather

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL (ACES-Oct. 1, 2019) — Conditions in Alabama are hot and dry. Strings of days with record-breaking heat have made September 2019 one of the hottest Septembers on record. The heat and drought are nothing new, though. While only .2 percent of the state is in extreme drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s latest release, nearly 83 percent …