Ohio State Drought Rapid Response Team provides resources for farmers
USDA has made emergency loans, federal aid programs available
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Tracy Turner Ohio State News Contributor |
Editor's note: This story has been updated with the latest information about available resources as Ohio faces a historic drought.
The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) is intensifying its efforts to support farmers after the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared 23 Ohio counties as natural disaster areas this week due to severe drought. This federal designation enables farmers to access emergency loans and other federal aid programs.
Drought conditions that began in Ohio in mid-June have worsened throughout the summer. The majority of Ohio is now 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 95% of the state affected by abnormal dryness or worse, with 31% in severe drought, 22% in extreme drought, and 7% in exceptional drought, according to the Sept. 5 update from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
And Ohio is now experiencing its first exceptional drought in history, affecting 15 counties.
Farmers in the designated counties are now eligible for USDA emergency loans, which can be used to replace equipment, replant crops, cover living expenses, or refinance debt. These loans are critical, as drought conditions continue to impact crops and livestock statewide.
“The drought has placed unprecedented strain on farmers, and CFAES is here to offer both immediate and long-term assistance,” said Chris Zoller, interim assistant director, agriculture and natural resources, Ohio State University Extension. “Farmers can now access federal resources through the USDA, and CFAES will continue to provide research-based guidance to help them navigate this difficult time.”
OSU Extension is CFAES’ statewide outreach arm.
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.”
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.”
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 in specialty crop production systems. The hot and dry conditions this summer, following a mild winter, compounded issues in many vegetable and specialty crops with increased insect pest pressure, he said.
For ongoing updates and resources related to agriculture, visit go.osu.edu/ohiodrought. For more information on drought preparedness and other drought impacts, visit climate.osu.edu/drought.
