LONDON, Ohio – At this year’s Farm Science Review, more than 100,000 people took to the Trotter Field demonstrations where farmers learned about new ag innovations like drones, automation, sprayers and other technology, as well as picked up tips on tillage, corn harvest and soybean harvest.

It is estimated that half of those in attendance paid a visit to the Firebaugh Building each day to listen to Ohio State Ag Weather and Climate Field Specialist Aaron Wilson, along with OSU Extension Field Specialist Bruce Clevenger and other field experts from OSU’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). These experts were on hand to answer questions about weather and climate. And with good reason. Central Ohio saw just 0.61 inches in August. At the time of Farm Science Review, the Columbus area had received 0.23 inches of rain since Sept. 1.

While not yet reaching the severity of last year’s growing season, Wilson said drought conditions are once again taking hold across the Buckeye State, adding that parts of northwest, east central and south central Ohio are experiencing rapid moisture loss, declining soil moisture and stream flows following weeks of below-average rainfall.

“We went from the eighth wettest April through July on record to the driest on record for Ohio,” Wilson said. “Ohio’s farmers must examine their farming practices in order to survive these converse weather extremes. We have to think about what crops we can grow, maybe double crop, maybe not. These are questions that are active in the research.

“We’re not currently near the severity of 2024, when parts of the state were experiencing exceptional drought. However, recent flash drought-like conditions, particularly in areas like Henry, Wood, Hancock, Coshocton, Carroll and Scioto counties, are a growing concern.

“Many counties have only received 25 to 50 percent of their normal precipitation over the last 60 days,” he said. “With limited rainfall in the forecast, stream and river levels are already falling below historical median flows.”

According to the Sept. 19 U.S. Drought Monitor, more than half of Ohio was experiencing moderate to extreme dry conditions.

Ohio’s staple row crops are already showing signs of stress. In northwest Ohio, corn is prematurely senescing, or aging, as a result of drought stress during the critical pollination and grain-fill stages.

“I’ve observed tip dieback in corn, with missing kernels at the ends of the ears,” said Stephanie Karhoff, field specialist in agronomic systems with CFAES. “Soybeans are also senescing early, which will likely reduce pod fill and ultimately lower yields.”

Specialty crop producers are also experiencing challenges.

Logan Minter, CFAES field specialist for specialty crops, said the season’s early excess moisture followed by extreme heat has resulted in shallow root systems in many vegetable crops, leaving them vulnerable to the current dry conditions.

“Tomatoes, cucurbits, peppers and apples in northwest and southern Ohio are showing signs of nutrient deficiency and drought stress during peak fruit production,” Minter said. “It’s a double-edged sword. Dry conditions reduce disease pressure from many plant pathogens, but they also limit plant growth and fruit quality.”

Water availability is also tightening for livestock producers across the state. Surface water sources such as creeks and ponds are beginning to dry up, prompting some producers to haul water to fields or rely on rural water systems.

“I think in general for all of us, regardless of what our profession, water conservation is always a good idea,” Wilson said. “When things start to get low like this, we start to think really seriously and perhaps we should more often think about preserving water. It’s sort of that first line of defense.”

Meanwhile, forage yields are expected to decline.

“We’re already seeing lower silage moisture than expected,” said Jason Hartschuh, CFAES field specialist in dairy management. “Plant material is drier than it looks based on grain development, so it’s critical for producers to test whole-plant moisture before harvest.”

Hartschuh added that future cuts of alfalfa or grass silage could also be limited, depending on how long the dry conditions persist.

The impacts of drought are also visible in Ohio’s forests. In southeast and east central Ohio, trees are shedding leaves prematurely, and yellow popular dieback has been observed, said Jim Downs, forestry program coordinator with CFAES.

“While one year of early leaf drop may not be significant, repeated years of drought weaken trees, making them more vulnerable to pests and disease,” Downs said. “Right now, wildfire risk is low, but in future years, fallen dead trees could create high fuel loads and increase the risk of intense fires, especially in unmanaged areas.”

On the minds of many attendees was a four-month forecast.

“Our latest guidance from the Climate Prediction Center certainly doesn’t lean too strongly either way in terms or precipitation,” Wilson said. “It’s looking like temperatures will be warmer than average throughout much of the fall and the harvest season. In precipitation, I would have to lean a little bit drier, but we really don’t have a strong signal either way. And then as we head into this upcoming winter, all eyes are back on the tropical Pacific Ocean. It looks like cooler sea surface temperatures are resuming there, what we call La Nina. And oftentimes in Ohio, winters become wetter than average during those conditions. So, you know, it could be a winter where we again start to kind of replenish some of the soil moisture loss that we’re feeling here in early fall.”