Dr. Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux appeared on AccuWeather to share insights into how both long-term and flash droughts are impacting Vermont's agricultural landscape.

Burlington

Vermont is currently facing both long-term and flash drought conditions, which are creating significant challenges for the state's agricultural sector. Dairy farmers are struggling with poor hay quality and limited harvests, forcing some to use their winter feed supplies early. Water shortages are also affecting daily farm operations, and organic farmers are finding it difficult to meet grazing requirements for certification.

Apple growers have been impacted by a wet spring followed by rapid drought, leading to reduced yields and concerns for even the largest producers. Soil moisture levels are critically low, and there is uncertainty about whether conditions will improve before the next growing season. Experts emphasize that each drought is unique and highlight the need for ongoing awareness and preparation.

Drought impacts Vermont agriculture

Vermont is dealing with both a long-term drought and a flash drought. What does that mean for dairy farmers and their cows this season? So what it means for dairy farmers is that there are a number of challenges going on, including the quality of the hay, including the fact that they haven't been able to get second cuts and third cuts of hay coming in, which means that some farmers are actually dipping into their winter supplies. There's also water shortages on the ponds and the water resources that are available on farms themselves. And so there are challenges in terms of actually getting that water that's needed for a day-to-day farming activity. And then the other thing that we're seeing too is that from an organic farming perspective, we're running up against challenges with the number of days that the cattle and the cows need to be out on pasture grazing in order to maintain that organic certification. So there are a number of these compounding factors that we're looking at. Well, beyond dairy, there's also other ways that the drought is affecting the state, including apple growers and hay pasture production that you kind of hit on that, but I guess the apple growers, they're still impacted. That's true, Melissa. And I think for the apple growers, it was interesting because we had a really wet spring and then we went into this flash drought, as you said. And so that has really impacted the apple growers and the quality of the fruit that's growing right now to the extent that we probably won't make our yields. And that's concerning because even the largest apple production unit here in the state is being severely affected. What are you most concerned about for Vermont farmers if the drought continues? So Bernie, that's a great question. I think it has to do with the immediate impacts. It has to do with medium rain. So getting into the winter, it has to do with what's going to happen or what could happen next year in 2026. And because the drought is both short-term and long-term and we're concerned about water supplies, both at the surface, but also in the groundwater supplies, we're also concerned about the impact on the soils and the soil quality and the fact that there is like between zero and 2% total of moisture in the soils right now. What does that mean as we go through the winter, knowing that we are in September, which is the driest month of the year, historically for Vermont, how is that going to shape out and will the soils be replenished in time for next year's growing? Now, as a state climatologist, what is most important for people to understand about drought and how it affects communities plus agriculture? So another great question, Melissa, and I think people don't always appreciate that drought can occur anywhere at any type of climate, including humid climates like Vermont, and no two droughts are the same. So I've been here for 29 years and this is about the 10th drought that I've lived through and each one has been slightly different, which means that we have to keep on our toes with understanding how the droughts are evolving and where they are and how they're shaping and how severe they are, who's affected, and the fact that we're not out of the woods yet. And so in the Northeast Kingdom, which is in Northeastern part of the state and along the Connecticut Valley, which the two places are particularly affected in this drought here, it's not the same as in past droughts. And so we need to make sure that the word gets out that everybody appreciates how severe and how historic this drought is so that we can take the preparatory actions now, but also in the future. And you had mentioned something, doctor, that you've gone through 10 droughts. Is this the worst that you've seen? So, Bernie, that's an interesting question because the characteristics of this drought are different. And so the timing was different. The way it played out was different. The fact that we had a flash drought in addition to long-term drought is different. So it's kind of hard to compare across the board. And that's why, forensically, when I look back on this in a few months' time, that's when I'll be able to say, was it because we had a drought that started in June, July versus starting in May, for example, or one that starts in January? What is it that is about this drought that makes it so unique?

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Breakdown