The S.C. Drought Response Committee, meeting via conference call Friday, upgraded the drought status to the first level of drought, incipient, for 28 counties, including Aiken County.
The counties include Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, Bamberg, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chester, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Fairfield, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Sumter, Williamsburg and York.
There was support from multiple indicators such as the 30-Day Percent of Normal Rainfall, 60-Day Percent of Normal Rainfall, the U.S. Drought Monitor and the Crop Moisture Index to upgrade the 28 counties to the first level of drought.
"Several areas across the state are very dry at the present time, and most farmers are waiting on some moisture to start planting soybeans," Brad Boozer, of the S.C. Department of Agriculture, said in a press release. "The dry weather has taken a toll on dryland corn, and some beef cattle farmers have started to feed hay throughout several areas. Extreme temperatures this past week have not helped the crop outlook."