It is rare to experience such a severe drought in Ohio
- col-conservation-corner
- October 10, 2024
- 1055
What is a drought? A drought is a period of time when an area experiences below-normal precipitation. It is characterized by reduced soil moisture, diminished stream flow, crop damage and water shortage. It is caused by low precipitation over an extended period.
While it is rare for us to experience a severe drought in Ohio, summer 2024 has been exactly that. 2018 and 2012 were pretty dry years but nothing compared to this year. Thirty-six years ago in 1988 was the last major drought. It has certainly taken its toll on most of Southeastern Ohio farmers.
Many crops have matured and dried earlier than normal, and cool season grassed hay fields and pastures went dormant months ago. This has forced farmers to begin harvest and feed hay to livestock earlier than normal. This has created a shortage of hay for many producers as well.
A lot of producers have had to pump and haul water to supply to their livestock. There are several levels to a drought: Abnormally Dry, Moderate, Severe, Extreme and Exceptional Drought. Parts of Ohio and West Virginia were in the worst category and still are even though we have finally received a little bit of rain.
Fortunately, there are programs available to help offset some of the costs and losses associated with a drought. The USDA Farm Service Agency has a few programs to help out no matter what you produce. You can call their office in New Philadelphia at 330-339-5585.
The Livestock Forage Disaster Program provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses due to drought or fire on land that is native or improved pasture land with permanent vegetative cover or that is planted specifically for grazing.
The Livestock Indemnity Program provides benefits to livestock owners and some contract growers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality that are the direct result of an eligible adverse weather event. In addition, LIP covers attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law. Also, LIP provides assistance to livestock owners who must sell livestock at a reduced price because of an injury from an eligible loss condition.
The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm Raised Fish Program provides assistance to eligible owners of livestock and producers of honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease including cattle tick fever, adverse weather, or other conditions not covered by LFP and LIP.
Whether you are in need of hay or have an abundance of hay to sell from first cutting, you can find buyers and sellers on the Ohio Hay Directory, a list compiled by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. You can find this list on the website at www.agri.ohio.gov under the 2024 Ohio Drought Resources tab.
You can see the drought level your county is in by viewing the drought map at the U.S. Drought Monitor Website. We also have a drought services tab on our website at www.tuscsoil.com. Stay up to date by following our Facebook and at Tuscarawas Soil & Water Conservation District.