Drought and extreme heat impact crops in Oklahoma and Missouri

Severe heat and persistent drought are impacting agricultural production across Oklahoma and Missouri. In Oklahoma, extreme temperatures and lack of rainfall have caused significant stress to the cotton crop. While some irrigated areas in Carnegie, Hydro, and Fort Cobb are expected to produce, many dryland and non-irrigated fields have suffered substantial damage. The intense heat has also accelerated crop maturity, with some fields reaching harvest-readiness as early as mid-August.

In Missouri, extension specialists are lowering yield predictions for soybeans due to declining soil moisture and prolonged heat, which lead to smaller seeds and reduced test weights. The drought is also affecting livestock producers, particularly in southwestern Missouri, where forage shortages are forcing earlier hay purchases. Climatologists note a trend of extreme swings between wet and dry conditions in the region, complicating planting schedules and increasing the risk of herbicide carryover injury in fields where cover crops are planned.