As we navigate the dry conditions spread across Wisconsin this summer, the US Drought Monitor (USDM) maps have become a common sight in crop reports used by producers and ag professionals to navigate this year’s growing season. The Drought Monitor is released every Thursday, and compiles physical indicators, condition observations and reports of the impact of drought in each area. The USDM identifies areas that are currently in drought and assigns the area an intensity number – from D1-D4. Areas that are in D0 are simply “abnormally dry” that might be in the early stages or recovery from drought.

The Drought Monitor attempts to provide a snapshot look at current drought conditions, but each individual area is different, and it is best to work with local water systems and governments to determine what the drought designation means for you.

One important piece of supporting evidence for the USDM is the collection of reports by “on the ground” observers using the Condition Monitoring Observer System (CMOR). Anyone can file a report in this easy-to-use portal, and it allows individuals to report how local conditions might differ from the drought intensity status reported in the Drought Monitor. This allows the state to better evaluate when farmers affected by drought might become eligible for disaster relief programs.

If you are interested in submitting reports to the Condition Monitoring Observer System, you can go to: https://droughtimpacts.unl.edu/Tools/ConditionMonitoringObservations.aspx

or use the QR code below and select “Open in Browser”.  Submitting reports takes less than 5 minutes and provides valuable information as we navigate the changing conditions in our area. 

For more information on Wisconsin weather and drought updates, check out the article on the UW Madison Extension Crops & Soils topic hub: https://cropsandsoils.extension.wisc.edu/wisconsin-weather-condition-update/