Drought Information for Everyone

Resilience of American Agriculture - Innovation, Diversity and Growing Markets
The drought of 2012 is the most serious to impact U.S. agriculture since 1988. The illustrations in this infographic help to show the resiliency of the U.S. agriculture sector and how it is better positioned today to endure this natural disaster. Download the infographic.

US Drought and Your Food Costs
This infographic demonstrates how the current drought, or any event that affects prices for raw farm commodities, ultimately has a marginal effect on what we pay at the grocery or restaurant. Download the infographic.

News and Updates:

USDA Designates 597 Counties in 2013 as Disaster Areas Due to Drought (Press Release 01/09/2013)

USDA Action during Drought Opened 2.8 Million Acres to Haying and Grazing, Brought Nearly $200 Million in Forage for Producers (Press Release 12/13/2012)

USDA, Partner Agencies Coordinate Long-term Drought Response in Northwest Ohio, Tri-State Area (Press Release 11/28/2012)

USDA Works to Help Restore Water and Electric Service to Rural Customers Impacted by Hurricane Sandy (Press Release 11/06/2012)

USDA Offers Food Assistance to Those Affected by Hurricane Sandy (Press Release 11/05/2012)

USDA Offers Housing Assistance to Rural East Coast Residents Affected by Hurricane Sandy (Press Release 11/02/2012)

Food Safety Is Crucial As Hurricane Sandy Approaches the East Coast (Press Release 10/26/2012)

USDA Offers Livestock and Pet Safety Tips In Advance of Hurricane Sandy (Press Release 10/26/2012)

USDA, Partner Agencies, to Participate in Series of Regional Meetings to Coordinate Long Term Drought Response (Press Release 09/20/2012)

USDA Expands Drought Assistance to 22 States (Press Release 09/19/2012)

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Extends Emergency Grazing to Assist Ranchers Impacted by Drought (Press Release 08/29/2012)

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces New Help for Livestock Producers with Changes to Emergency Loans, Crop Insurance (Press Release 08/22/2012)

USDA Announces Low-Interest Emergency Loans Now Available to Producers in 172 Additional Counties due to Drought (Press Release 08/15/2012)

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces New Drought Assistance, Designates an Additional 218 Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas (Press Release 08/01/2012)

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces New Obama Administration Efforts to Assist Farmers and Ranchers Impacted by Drought (Press Release 07/23/2012)

Secretary's Column: The Means to Help Producers Impacted by Drought (Blog 07/20/12)

Press Briefing: Press Secretary Jay Carney and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack (Transcript 07/19/12)

USDA Announces Streamlined Disaster Designation Process with Lower Emergency Loan Rates and Greater CRP Flexibility in Disaster Areas (Press Release 07/11/12)

Radio Features

Actuality: Crop Insurance Communication and Consideration (7/20/12)
Risk Management Agency Administrator Bill Murphy explains some of the crop insurance options available to growers dealing with drought related issues, and how important communication is between grower and agent.

Putting The Heat On The US Corn And Soybean Crops
An unusually hot and dry June in many of the nation's prime corn and soybean growing states has led to a rapid decline in crop condition, and increasing concerns how those crops might fare this year. Rod Bain talks with USDA analysts on what is occurring, and what might occur, with the crops in this edition of "Agriculture USA".
PARTICIPANTS: Chief Economist Joe Glauber, World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Gerry Bange, USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey