Severe Drought in WV Leads to Crop Failures, Rising Hay Prices, and Increased Fire Risk

WEST VIRGINIA (WVDN) – Recent maps by the U.S. Drought Monitor show this immediate part of West Virginia as level D2 or severe drought status. That means, according to the list found on the U.S. Drought Monitor website, that wildlife will start to move to farms to find food, fish kills occur hay prices rise because farmers must start feeding livestock and specialty crops are impacted in both yield and price and trees become brittle and susceptible to insects. Another big problem is warnings are put in place for burning outdoors and air quality is affected. Water quality becomes poor with groundwater declining and irrigation ponds going dry. This causes outdoor water restrictions to be implemented.

The most recent drought map found on the U.S. Drought Monitor shows the drought expanded to include the area right next to that bordering Ohio. Approximately 1,811,493 people are affected by the drought.

A local farmer, Yubecca Bragg, spoke about some challenges faced by the farming community. Bragg explained that the only reason they still had crops was due to irrigation. She said even then they have to be very careful and not disrupt the ecosystem of their pond, and they only water at night.

West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt spoke on how the drought is affecting the agriculture of the Mountain State. According to Leonhardt, it’s been a spotty drought so far with the hardest hit areas being in the Eastern Panhandle. That area is moving into a level D4 drought. The commissioner went on to explain that they’re seeing a lot of short corn in certain areas and reduced yields on other crops. Leonhardt also stated that the length of the growing season is the same, but the quality is different. The hot, dry weather is stunting the growth of the crops. Leonhardt also stated how the biggest hit we’re having is the regeneration of pasture and hay for a second cutting, which is going to impact all livestock. The cows, goats and sheep will all feel the effects. The commissioner went on to say that farmers will be looking to feed sooner if they aren’t already having to.

Some farmers are culling herds, reducing their inventory which will have an impact on their income down the road. In some cases, they’re taking cattle to market that normally wouldn’t be sold. The commissioner said his office is working with the Farmers Service Agency (FSA) and their other partners to bring relief to West Virginia farmers. He urges farmers to visit the drought assistance resources page at agricultural.wv.gov for the latest information, where to seek aid and where to buy hay.

In Greenbrier County, 35,480 or 100% of the people are affected by the drought according to data compiled on drought.gov. It’s the 48th driest July on record for Summers County and the 65th for Greenbrier dating back 130 years. Greenbrier needs. 05 to reach normal.

According to data from NOAA, the latest observed level l for the river at Alderson, at the time this was written was 2.04 feet.

Some tips for getting through a drought and consuming less water according to a top website, are: avoid flushing your toilet unnecessarily, wash clothes in larger loads, turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving, place a bucket in the shower to catch water for watering plants, immediately identify and fix leaks, take shorter showers, and operate your dishwasher only when it is full, take a shower instead of a bath, avoid throwing out cigarette butts into grass that’s dry and easy to catch fire, and water your lawn in short sessions rather than one long go.

Even though recent rain has helped, the state is still within drought status. Stick with The West Virginia Daily News for updates.

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