08/27/2026
Producers Asked to Report Drought Impacts to Improve Arkansas Monitoring Efforts
As dry conditions continue to affect almost all of Arkansas, agricultural producers are being encouraged to report drought impacts on their farms and ranches to help state and national officials accurately assess conditions across the state.
Extension specialists say local observations from farmers and ranchers provide critical on-the-ground information that cannot always be captured through rainfall totals and weather station data alone. Reports submitted by producers help drought experts determine the severity of conditions and ensure agricultural impacts are reflected in official drought assessments.
Producers are encouraged to closely monitor conditions on their operations and document any signs of drought stress. Key indicators include declining water levels in ponds, reduced forage growth, livestock stress, and crop damage. Information regarding supplemental feeding, hauling water to livestock, feeding hay earlier than normal, or reduced crop yields can help paint a clearer picture of drought impacts within a county.
Photographs are particularly valuable when reporting drought conditions. Extension specialists recommend taking wide-angle photos of pastures, stock ponds, and crop fields, as well as close-up images showing cracked soils, stressed vegetation, or other visible signs of drought. Keeping a record of dated photographs over several weeks can demonstrate how rapid conditions are changing.
The primary reporting tool available to producers is the Condition Monitoring Observer Report, commonly known as CMOR. The online reporting system, hosted by Drought.gov and the National Drought Mitigation Center, allows producers to submit observations directly from a computer or mobile device. Users can identify their location, describe impacts on their operation, upload photographs, and rate local moisture conditions compared to what is normal for the season.
Once submitted, reports are made available to drought-monitoring officials, including state climatologists and the authors of the U.S. Drought Monitor. These observations are reviewed alongside weather data and other indicators when evaluating drought conditions across the region.
In addition to filing online reports, producers are encouraged to stay in contact with their local Cooperative Extension Service office. County extension agents can aid with forage management, livestock nutrition, water issues, and other drought-related concerns. Local reports also help ensure agricultural challenges are accurately documented when disaster declarations and assistance programs are being considered.
Extension officials emphasize that drought reporting is one of the simplest ways producers can help improve awareness of local conditions and support informed decision-making by agricultural and emergency management agencies. By sharing observations from the field, Arkansas farmers and ranchers play an important role in ensuring their communities receive accurate drought assessments and appropriate consideration for available resources.
For more information or to submit a drought report, visit Drought.gov and access the Condition Monitoring Observer Report (CMOR) system.
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