http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

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Insufficient rain and snow have forced Yakima Valley farmers to tear out acres of apple orchards. Wine grapes withered on the vine. Poor demand for certain crops, trade wars and rising costs were some other factors also presenting challenges for growers. An apple grower near Wapato removed several acres of Red Delicious and Gala apples trees as there was not enough water for all of the orchards. Since the start of 2025, about 110 acres of apple trees have been torn out. The orchard owners grow a variety of fruits, including apples, apricots, peaches, pears and more. A grape grower in Prosser opted to irrigate his grape vines sufficiently while depriving other crops of the needed water. He has already removed 5 acres of Riesling grapes this year and intended to take out another 7 acres of malbec grapes soon. Growers typically like to give their vineyards or orchards a significant watering before winter sets in so that the crops were not stressed for lack of water through the winter. However, this will be the third year that there has not been enough water for that last watering. The Seattle Times (Wash.), Nov 16, 2025