Drought Conditions and Resources

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CFAES experts know the challenges Ohio growers and producers face due to a variety of reasons. A Rapid Response Team was created to quickly address current events and offer the best science-based recommendations to protect livestock, crops, and farm operations due to weather impacts, tariffs, commodity prices, and extreme events. 

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Resources for Ohio’s farmers to navigate challenging issues
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Note: The U.S. Drought Monitor only includes precipitation for the week through 8 am Tuesday mornings.

January 30, 2025: With cooler conditions and increased precipitation at the end of 2024, drought conditions improved across the state. Notable surface wetness remains across southwest, central, and northeast Ohio, though sub-surface soil moisture deficits remain.  A cold, and dry January has left northwest and southeast Ohio persistently dry. A small area of D1-moderate drought remains across the southeast. Springs, wells, and rivers have been slow to improve in that area. The weather pattern appears to be active over the next couple of weeks, with additional rounds of precipitation likely across Ohio. This should continue to help ease the dry conditions ahead of spring activities. Next update will be provided after February 13, 2025.

 January Weather Summary & Outlook

  • Temperatures are below average, running 5-10°F below the long-term mean (1991-2020).
  • Liquid-equivalent precipitation (rain + melted frozen precipitation) has been below average, ranging from 1-2.5" or 25-75% of normal.
  • Total snowfall ranges from less than 5" across northwest Ohio, to 10-20" across the bulk of central and southern Ohio, and over 30" in the snowbelt region of northeast Ohio.
  • A couple of systems will bring mainly rain to the state for the end of January and early February, with 1-3" expected through February 6.
  • Warmer and wetter than average conditions are probable through February 12.
  • Probability remains elevated for warmer and wetter than average conditions from February through April
    periods.

Updates provided by:

Aaron Wilson, Ag Weather and Climate Field Specialist
Stephanie Karhoff, Agronomic Systems Field Specialist
Jason Hartschuh, Dairy Management and Precision Livestock Field Specialist
Garth Ruff, Beef Cattle and Livestock Marketing Field Specialist
Logan Minter, Specialty Crops Field Specialist
Jim Downs, Forestry Field Specialist
Chris Zoller, Interim Assistant Director, Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources

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map of the state with yellow, orange, red, dark red to show current drought conditions

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map of ohio with precipitation mapping colors for last 7 days map of ohio with brown and white colors to indicate percentage of normal precipitation map of forecasted rain in Ohio over 7-days

For more current drought data, visit drought.gov.

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Drought Conditions in Ohio
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Drought conditions started in Ohio back in mid-June and have intensified all summer. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor report on August 27, 2024, D4-exceptional drought was introduced to Ohio (Meigs and Athens Counties) for the first time since the U.S. Drought Monitor’s inception in 2000. On September 5, D4 increased to 7.35% of the state, while other categories of drought (D1-D3) significantly expanded. It is important to remember that D4 conditions only occur once every 50 to 100 years. Read more.

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USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Has Assistance Programs for Ohio Farm Operations Impacted by Drought
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drought stressed corn, dried and light brown

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With an estimated 2.7 million Ohioans currently living with drought conditions, times are not easy. We often forget to check in on our mental health though during this time of high stress and anxiety. While many people can cope with the everyday stress of farming, it is important to know it is okay to not be okay. Especially with these types of weather extremes, it can be difficult for any farmer.

Learn more

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Supporting farmers through dry conditions
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Resources for Producers
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Hay
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The Ohio Department of Agriculture has an Ohio Hay Directory for producers trying to sell or buy hay during the drought. If you have hay to sell, add your information here

Once the directory is created, you'll find it on the 2024 Ohio Drought Resources page.

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More Resources
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Agricultural operations in Ohio have been significantly impacted by recent drought. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has programs available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA FSA Service Center to report their losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.  

 

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