Midwest drought threatens planting season

By Blake Jackson

Many parts of the Midwest are entering planting season grappling with ongoing drought. The upper Mississippi River region from Minnesota to Missouri faces moderate to severe drought, with northeast Iowa in extreme conditions. Some areas have been battling dryness since mid-2020.

While winter rains offered some relief, the outlook remains bleak for farmers. Warmer temperatures aided water absorption but also accelerated evaporation. Dennis Todey, director of the USDA's Midwest Climate Hub, worries about a "double whammy" as spring progresses.

Officials with the Army Corps of Engineers warn of long-term issues in the Missouri River Basin due to below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures. Doug Kluck, climate services director at NOAA, emphasizes the need for significant above-average precipitation to replenish depleted soil moisture and groundwater.

The situation is compounded by the recent record-breaking warm winter across the U.S., particularly in the Midwest and Great Plains. Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin all experienced their warmest winters on record. Northern Midwest regions saw temperatures 12-16 degrees above normal in the last month.

Todey explains the warmth is partly due to El Niño, but also highlights the role of climate change. While he avoids directly attributing the drought to climate change, he acknowledges a connection between El Niño's amplified warming effect and the long-term trend of rising winter temperatures.

Looking ahead, St. Louis University professor Jason Knouft warns of intensifying extreme weather events in the Mississippi River Basin due to climate change. This will strain agricultural production, economic activity, and energy generation all reliant on the river.

The drought is forcing farmers to adapt. Lainey Johnson, owner of Bright Hope Family Farm in drought-stricken Nebraska, switched entirely to flower production after last year's low garlic yields. Flowers require less water and Johnson has adopted drip irrigation to further minimize water use. As president of Women in Local Food and Farming, she witnesses the struggles of fellow farmers with row crops and livestock pastures.

One potential silver lining: drier conditions may allow for earlier planting compared to past seasons when wet soil delayed planting. However, Todey cautions that successful harvests will heavily depend on upcoming rainfall as the soil lacks the necessary moisture reserves.

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