Farmers in New Hampshire are currently experiencing challenges due to sporadic rainfall and abnormally dry conditions across the state. These conditions have led to increased drought stress on farms, affecting a variety of crops including fruits, vegetables, and row crops.
Drought impacts more than just water availability; it places significant stress on both plants and livestock. For fruit and vegetable growers, drought can result in smaller or cracked fruit, reduced yields, and lower quality. Plants may shed leaves, flowers, or fruit as a way to conserve water. Row crops such as corn and hay are also affected by stunted growth and decreased kernel fill, leading to lower tonnage at harvest.
Physiological stress caused by insufficient water makes plants more susceptible to pests and diseases. Key processes like photosynthesis may be shut down during extended dry periods, hindering plant growth and ripening. Another concern for those with livestock is nitrate accumulation in drought-stressed corn and hay. Under these conditions, plants absorb nitrogen but cannot convert it into protein efficiently, resulting in potentially toxic concentrations for animals—especially cattle—which can be fatal if consumed.
Short-term wilting does not typically harm plants; however, prolonged drought can cause lasting damage such as scorched leaves or aborted flowers.
Several proactive strategies are recommended for managing the effects of drought:
Optimizing water use through efficient irrigation methods like drip systems or soaker hoses helps deliver water directly to roots while minimizing evaporation. Using soil moisture sensors allows farmers to accurately assess when irrigation is necessary. Additional information about soil moisture sensors can be found on this fact sheet: Soil Moisture Sensors [fact sheet].
Improving soil health is also crucial. Increasing organic matter with cover crops, composting, and reducing tillage practices enhances the soil’s ability to retain water. Poor soil structure can lead to compaction early in the season, restricting root development and contributing to moisture stress later on.
Applying mulch around vegetable and fruit crops helps retain soil moisture, keeps roots cool, and suppresses weeds that compete for limited water resources.
Fertilization practices require caution during droughts. Excessive nitrogen application should be avoided as it increases the risk of nitrate buildup in forage crops—a danger for livestock consumption. Fertilizer applied through irrigation systems (fertigation) must also be managed carefully since low rainfall can cause soluble salts from fertilizers to accumulate near roots. This salt buildup may injure plant roots further limiting their ability to absorb water; symptoms include leaf tip burn, stunted growth, and wilting.
The use of certain plant growth regulators—such as cytokinins, ABA (abscisic acid), and brassinosteroids—can help promote root growth while reducing transpiration rates in plants under drought stress.
Testing forage before feeding it to livestock is strongly advised if hay or corn has been grown under drought conditions. Many university extension services offer nitrate testing for harvested forage; this step is critical for animal safety.
Strategic harvesting techniques can also reduce risks: raising cutting heights when harvesting hay may help avoid high-nitrate sections of the plant; ensiling corn reduces nitrate levels by about half but testing remains essential before feeding silage.
Farmers are encouraged to monitor local drought conditions using resources like the U.S. Drought Monitor and maintain contact with organizations such as NHDES or their local UNH Cooperative Extension office for updated guidance.
Reports on observed water stress can be submitted either locally or directly through the National Drought Mitigation Center’s online reporting tool at https://www.drought.gov/data-maps-tools/condition-monitoring-observer-reports-drought-cmor-drought.
Additionally, federal and state emergency programs administered by agencies like USDA’s Farm Service Agency provide financial assistance as well as technical support for those impacted by ongoing drought conditions.
By adopting these management strategies now, New Hampshire growers can work toward minimizing immediate losses from current dry spells while building greater resilience against future periods of drought.
