Western drought and how Tennessee farmers can be volunteers
Farmers across the West continue to battle severe drought conditions. According to the August 5 release of the National Drought Mitigation Center’s U.S. Drought Monitor, more than 80% of the West plus North and South Dakota are categorized as D2 (severe drought) or higher. This is an increase from 68.5% the week of June 17 and a big jump from the 29% of the West designated as D2 during the first week of August a year ago. More than 90% of the land area in California (95%), Montana (99%), North Dakota (98%), Nevada (95%) and Utah (100%) qualifies at or above the D2 level.
The eleven states in the Western region, plus the Dakotas, are vital to the U.S. agricultural sector, supporting one-third, or $112 billion, of total U.S. agricultural production by value. This includes 28% of total cattle and cows which is responsible for 18% of U.S. agricultural production by value; 40% of total dairy production which is responsible for 11% of U.S. agricultural production by value; and over 70% of vegetables, fruits and tree nut production by value. Continued drought conditions put production of these commodities at risk, along with the stability of farms reliant on their crops and livestock for income.
AFBF’s Assessing Western Drought Conditions Survey was distributed to state and county Farm Bureau leaders, staff and farmer members in the affected states. On average, states scored selling off portions of the herd/flock, increases in local feed costs linked to drought, and traveling long distances to acquire feed and forage as prevalent or higher. Notably, the selected drought-related issues are directly linked to the profitability of a farm. Numerous herd/flock sell-offs flood local auctions with livestock, increasing supply and crashing local prices. One respondent stated, “The price received for cow/calf pairs at the local auction is so low it’s like giving the animals away.” Many respondents spoke of weaning animals earlier, reducing grazing time on rangeland, hauling water through mountain terrain and relocating herds across state lines. High feed costs attributed to abysmal precipitation levels further reduces achievable margins on livestock. A California farmer further explained, “We have had to reduce our herd by 66% to deal with the lack of feed – traveling out of state to try to buy feed – huge transportation costs.”
TENNESSEE FARMERS CAN HELP: Western farmers’ concerns of their livestock surviving the winter are growing as food and water supplies become more limited. An opportunity for Tennessee farmers to provide assistance is by listing hay for sale on Tennessee’s Hay Directory. The Tennessee Hay Directory has been shared with western state Farm Bureaus. If you or someone in your community would like to list hay on the Hay Directory, contact the Tennessee Farm Bureau Public Policy Division at 931-388-7872 ext. 2231.
