News

Drought concerns ahead of 2025 growing season

A climatologist says he’s concerned about precipitation deficits across the Midwest.

Brian Fuchs with the National Drought Mitigation Center says the growing season is rapidly approaching and farmers need more moisture. “Some of these areas over the last four or five years have missed out on over 20-to-25 inches of precipitation.”

He tells Brownfield long-term drought can affect crop conditions. He says livestock producers are also impacted. “They either have to accommodate the number of animals they hold on their pastures or they got to start reducing those herds. Or they’ve got to go on the open market and start buying feed if they don’t have a surplus already stockpiled and that means money for them.”

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows 63% of the Midwest, 76% of the Great Plains, and 54% of the South are experiencing dry conditions. Fuchs is an author of the weekly drought monitor map.

INTERVIEW: Brian Fuchs with the National Drought Mitigation Center