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.
August 28, 2025: It is hard to imagine that after the 8th wettest April-July on record for Ohio, we are discussing drought by late August. Indeed, this is the case, as the faucet has turned off for much of the state. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows more than half the state has D0-abnormally dry conditions with a little less than 2% of the state in D1-Moderate Drought conditions. A fairly dry forecast is likely to exacerbate conditions, especially as temperatures moderate back into the 80s for the first week of September. Our next update will be provided on September 4, 2025.
Current Conditions Update
- Precipitation over the last 7 days has been minimal, with much of southern Ohio seeing no rain while locations downwind of Lake Erie in northwest Ohio have seen up to one inch of rain.
- Northwest and East Central Ohio counties (parts of Henry, Wood, Hancock, Carroll) have only had 25-50% of normal precipitation over the last 60 days.
- Light rain associated with scattered showers and storms along a reinforcing cold front on Thursday August 28 will provide minor relief.
- Precipitation over the next 7 days is forecast to range from 0.1-0.5 inch, with isolated 1-inch amounts. Cooler than normal conditions are likely to continue through the Labor Day weekend.
- The 8–14-day outlook, valid for September 4-10 shows probabilities leaning toward below and near normal precipitation.
Note: The U.S. Drought Monitor only includes precipitation for the week through 7 am Tuesday mornings.
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
Dave Marrison, Farm Management Field Specialists and Interim Director of the Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute
Logan Minter, Specialty Crops Field Specialist
Jim Downs, Forestry Field Specialist
Vinayak Shedekar, Agricultural Water Management
Jeff Hattey, Soil Management State Specialist
Chris Zoller, Interim Assistant Director, Extension ANR
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For more current drought data, visit drought.gov.
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.
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.
- Hurricane Helene's effect on soybean in Ohio
- Manure application to parched soil
- Drought, an early harvest, and fall herbicide applications
- Dry conditions in corn - implications and recommendations
- Forage nitrate toxicity a major concern as drought worsens
- Debby surprises but drought intensifies across southeast
- Worsening drought conditions in southern Ohio
- Weather extremes abound
- Weed management in hot, dry conditions
- Wheat harvest and double crop considerations for 2024
- New ANR fact sheet summarizing corn response to long-term weather patterns
- Beating the heat on farms
Drainage
Managing Controlled Drainage Structures in Spring and Fall
Drought and Drainage
Video: Battle for the Belt
Video: Corn Response to Drought
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.
Ohio State University Extension BEEF Team
Winter Feeding Options for Beef Cows - program schedule in October 2024
- Addressing Feed & Forage Shortages
- Manure Application to Parched Soil
- Ohio Beef Cattle Letter
- Feeding Storm-Damaged Soybean Grain to Cattle
- Drought 2024: Winter Feeding Options for Beef Cows
- Drought to Frost: Feeding Safe Forages
- "Fog Fever" a Fall Pasture Problem
- Making Decisions During Drought
- Using Drought Stressed Soybeans For Hay or Silage
- Managing Forage to Finish 2024
- The Summer Grazing Plan
- Managing Heat Stress in Beef Animals
- Considerations for Pasture Risk Management Decisions
- Pasture Management Strategies During Dry Conditions
- Drought Management (Ohio Beef Cattle Letter archives)
- Mow Pastures or Not
- OSU Extension BEEF Team videos
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.
- Worksheet to Prepare for Your First Visit with USDA
- Establishing a Customer Record and Farm Record
- CRP Haying and Grazing
- Disaster Assistance At A Glance
- Disaster Assistance: ELAP - Livestock Assistance
- Disaster Assistance: Emergency Disaster Designation and Declaration Process
- Disaster Assistance: Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)
- Disaster Assistance: Emergency Loan Program
- Disaster Assistance: LFP - Livestock Forage Disaster Program
- Disaster Assistance: Livestock Indemnity Program
- Disaster Assistance: Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program
- Disaster Assistance: Tree Assistance Program
- Disaster Assistance: What is the U.S. Drought Monitor?
Turf Team Times - also available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Updates provided by:
Aaron Wilson, Ag Weather and Climate Field Specialist
Jim Downs, Forestry Field Specialist
Jason Hartschuh, Dairy Management and Precision Livestock Field Specialist
Jeff Hattey, Soil Management State Specialist
Stephanie Karhoff, Agronomic Systems Field Specialist
Dave Marrison, Farm Management Field Specialist and Interim Director of the Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute
Logan Minter, Specialty Crops Field Specialist
Garth Ruff, Beef Cattle and Livestock Marketing Field Specialist
Vinayak Shedekar, Agricultural Water Management
Chris Zoller, Interim Assistant Director, Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources
