Commissioner Hugh Weathers: Drought Reporting

Posted on Posted in Daily Ag Summary, Featured Stories, SC Ag Commissioner Hugh Weathers, Top Ag Headlines

Recently the SC Department of Agriculture and other agencies introduced a new way for farmers to report drought. Commissioner Weathers will tell us why drought reporting is important and how to do it.

  • Each week the US Drought Monitor updates the drought map using information from state agencies, local governments, utilities, industries, farmers, others.
  • Agriculture shows some of the first effects of drought, like dry crops, animal stress, insect damage, increased irrigation.
  • Farmers can help us out by reporting their drought conditions.
  • Two ways to report: Email drought@scda.sc.gov OR visit agriculture.sc.gov and click “Report your drought conditions here”
  • Reporting helps farmers, too. The drought map is used to determine disaster aid for programs like the Livestock Forage Disaster Program.
  • Current SC drought situation: As of the August 13 report, about 70 percent of the state was “Abnormally Dry” and about 8.5 percent was in “Moderate Drought,” and that expanded in the most recent report.