In an effort to support North Carolina growers during the current drought conditions NC Cooperative Extension has written and gathered some important guidance information for field crop and livestock producers.
Drought Resources from Extension
(Updated: April 22, 2026, 10:43 a.m.)
Corn
Economics
What did 2024 Tell Us About Weather Risk for NC Corn and Soybeans? By Dr. Seunghyun Lee, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, NCSU
Fertilizer Management
Should I make any changes to fertilizer applications? By Dr. Luke Gatiboni, Extension Soil Fertility Specialist, NCSU
Forages - Hay, Pasture and Silage
For now pasture-based livestock producers need to be careful not to overgraze pastures, and start thinking about an emergency feeding program. If there is a significant amount of grass in pastures, livestock can be rotated through, but should be moved before the pasture gets grazed down short. When all pastures are 3-4 inches livestock should be confined in a sacrificial pasture and fed hay until substantial rain has fallen.
The hay crop is likely to be short, so farmers are weighing their options. Stands of wheat and other small grains have substantial biomass, but if it does not rain soon will have very limited grain. This forage could be cut for hay as a salvage practice. If you do cut small grains (or any hay for that matter) you should get a nitrate test before feeding. The NCDA&CS Forage lab will run a nitrate analysis for free and will provide quick feedback when they find a potentially toxic level in a sample.
Selective culling is a practice that can help farmers reduce their feed demand which will be critical to making it through a drought. Selling unproductive or old livestock now and keeping the highly productive females with a long future ahead of them will help a farmer get through the drought and improve their herd at the same time.
Finally, the Livestock Forage Program will provide some relief to farmers in affected counties. The Drought Monitor status is used to trigger benefit payments, so be aware of the status of your county.
Be aware that benefits from LFP require some evidence of your animal numbers during the dates specified. This could be a calving record, working records, or a running inventory list. Make sure to contact your FSA office so they can keep you updated about the county status.
Dr. Matt Poore, NC State Extension
Nitrate Management in Beef Cattle
Potential for High Nitrate Levels in Drought-Stressed Corn Silage
Mental Health Resources
Drought is an exceptionally stressful time for farmers. There are many available resources for farmers to reach out to provided by the NC Agromedicine Institute. There are hotlines, free services, vouchers and opportunities for farmers without health insurance. This is a great program, please take advantage of the resources available to you and your family!
Small Grains
How do heat and drought affect small grains?
Heat Stress in Small Grains Article (University of Minnesota Extension)
How is the drought affecting NC Wheat?
Much of our state is in severe drought with little to no rain forecast over the next week. In the piedmont and sandhills wheat is already headed and flowering. Along the coastal plain and tidewater wheat is beginning to head and start flowering. At this growth stage the wheat needs 0.3” water per acre per day to fill grain and the lack of soil moisture is causing significant drought stress for most wheat varieties across the state. Dr. Angela R. Post, Small Grains Extension Specialist, North Carolina State University
Soybeans
Should we be planting soybeans now? Common questions and Extension based answers to help make those decisions can be found in this article.
Weed Management
Should I be managing weeds differently in dry conditions?
Dr. Cahoon talks about burn down, residuals, and lack of rainfall. He also touches on his recommendation for good corn weed programs. Podcast Link
Article:
Managing Residual Herbicides During a Dry Spring
The 2026 planting season is moving at a breakneck pace, but the persistent lack of moisture is raising critical questions about our weed control programs. In most North Carolina systems, we are entirely at the mercy of rainfall or irrigation to activate residual herbicides (moving them into the weed seed germination zone).
Dr. Charlie Cahoon, Extension Weed Specialist, NC State
