The 12-week map animation begins March 19 and ends June 4. Red hues representing high levels of drought creep closer and closer to the Four Corners, and then engulf Montezuma and San Juan counties and parts of Dolores and La Plata counties.<\/p>\n
Southwest Colorado started at a moderate (D1) drought category in March. It was upgraded to severe (D2) April 23, and then to extreme (D3) on June 4.<\/p>\n
Southeastern Colorado is suffering from an exceptional (D4) drought, the most severe on the scale. Dry, windy conditions are creating massive dust storms around Lamar and La Junta, stripping farms of topsoil.<\/p>\n
Most of central New Mexico is categorized as exceptional (D4) as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re already in full-blown disaster mode,\u201d said Paul White, director of the local Farm Services Agency. \u201cRight now the soil moisture levels are fast depleting and that affects all aspects of farming and ranching.\u201d<\/p>\n
White reports an increase in insurance claims for crop losses. He is bracing for more as farmers run short of water, and are forced to abandon or plow under crops.<\/p>\n
Payments from claims are only available for agricultural producers who signed up for 2013 crop insurance. All the deadlines have passed.<\/p>\n
No relief yet<\/em><\/p>\n Mike Rich, of the Natural Resources Conservation Services in Cortez, said the upgrade in drought category does not free up additional relief programs for area farmers.<\/p>\n \u201cThe assistance is being used for southeast Colorado where they are experiencing a category D4 drought,\u201d he said. \u201cThey are getting a lot of wind erosion.\u201d<\/p>\n The federal Environmental Quality Incentive Program provides funding for soil fencing and cover crops in the worst hit areas, Rich said. The funding would become available locally if the region were designated as D4.<\/p>\n \u201cThe dryland farmers around Pleasant View are the most vulnerable to soil erosion from drought, but there has not been a whole lot of blowing out there,\u201d he said. \u201cThey have their crops in and depend on soil moisture from the winter and a good monsoon season.\u201d<\/p>\n The seven- to 10-day outlook does not look promising, said Chris Cuoco, senior forecaster with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction. A persistent high pressure ridge and a jet stream positioned far to the north is preventing any moisture from entering the Four Corners area, he said.<\/p>\n The El Ni\u00f1o\/La Ni\u00f1a phenomenon in the southern Pacific Ocean is neutral right now, Cuoco said. If the waters off the coast of South America warm up (El Ni\u00f1o), the chance for precipitation in the Southwest increases.<\/p>\n Monsoon rains pushing in from the south in late summer and fall are also heavily relied on for farmers and ranchers.<\/p>\n \u201cThe good news there is that there has not been a year without a monsoon in 30 years, it is just that some are wetter than others,\u201d Cuoco said.<\/p>\n \u2018Five feet down\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n Tom Hooten, CSU ag extension director for Montezuma County, said the drought has been an ongoing issue.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is really a long-term drought that started more than 10 years ago, but it is never too late to prepare,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Using soil moisture probes to determine efficient use of water is critical.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a real eye-opener for people when they find out they have not been watering enough or too much,\u201d Hooten said.<\/p>\n The Dolores Conservation District is offering an ag water management assessment course in late June, said board member Steve Miles. Sign up at the NRCS office, 628 W. 5th St. in Cortez.<\/p>\n The class is $20 and includes a soil moisture probe. Information is available on a cost share program for replacement of side-roll nozzles.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is about efficient use of water: application rates, distribution rates and if it is the right amount for the crop,\u201d Miles said. \u201cPeople are surprised when they push the moisture probe in and it goes down five feet. It shows they are wasting water.\u201d<\/p>\n Drought impacts will hit all areas of the economy, not just agriculture.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we don\u2019t get moisture there is no rafting, Purgatory can\u2019t open and the risk of wildfire could shut down the Durango train,\u201d White said. \u201cThe community is going to feel it, all the towns are going to be impacted. It is all connected, and it could mean a spike in food prices.\u201d<\/p>\n Webinars and information on managing drought risk for ranchers and farmers are available at www.ext.colostate.edu\/drought\/index.html<\/p>\n