It’s abnormally dry in parts of north Georgia and areas bordering Alabama and South Carolina.

"However if we go two to three weeks remaining in the 90’s and 100’s," says state climatologist David Stooksbury, "we’ll slide into a mild drought primarily impacting pastures for both beef cattle and dairy cattle."

Stooksbury says farmers without irrigation systems are most affected. The dry weather this year has already reduced some yield in corn and hay.

Farmers who irrigate are having to water more, he says, but the streams are flowing and reservoirs are full so water supply isn’t an issue. Yet.

That could change, says Stooksbury, if the state experiences a dry and warm winter as predicted, then drought is a real possibility next Spring.

Tags: drought, beef cattle, dry spell, state climatologist David Stooksbury, dairy cattle, georgia drought