Drought conditions are deepening in parts of the KVOE listening area, and that’s evident if you take a look at area stock ponds.
Lyon County Extension ag agent Brian Rees, KVOE’s Newsmaker guest Thursday, says ranching options are limited once the water dries up.
Rees says grass looks to be OK after sustaining rains and the forage conditions have been good for cattle, but a handful of cattle have perished after getting stuck in mud when looking for water.
Also, crop conditions vary across our area, reflecting the wide range of rainfall totals this spring.
The latest Drought Monitor report shows extreme drought has pushed into northwest Lyon County — just north of Emporia — as well as southwest Wabaunsee County. Extreme drought also impacts the north half of Chase County and all of Morris County.
Drought conditions vary widely across the KVOE listening area, however, with abnormally dry conditions — the mildest drought conditions on the scale — covering almost all of Greenwood County.
Rees’ interview ended as the latest Drought Monitor information was posting online. He tells KVOE listeners the current drought is setting up in a similar way the drought earlier this decade did, and in some cases reservoirs are lower now than they were six or seven years ago.
US Drought Monitor Kansas map June 7
US Drought Monitor Kansas map June 14
