State Climatologist Sean Birkel talks during a panel discussion about drought Wednesday during the 76th Maine Agricultural Trades Show at the Augusta Civic Center.

Chad Thornwall talks about how the drought last summer affected his Chalet Farms in Hampden during an interview Wednesday at the 76th Maine Agricultural Trades Show at the Augusta Civic Center.

Erin Roche, crop insurance education program manager with Maine Cooperative Extension Service, left, and Richard Kersbergen, sustainable forage and dairy special from the Maine Cooperative Extension Service, take part in a panel discussion Wednesday at the 76th Maine Agricultural Trades Show at the Augusta Civic Center.

People watch a panel discussion on how to prepare a farm after a drought Wednesday during the 76th Maine Agricultural Trades Show at the Augusta Civic Center.

Cows graze in the fields July 29 at Grassland Farm in Skowhegan. Drought conditions last year made food for cows a bit scarce in central Maine.

Farmer Pete Kelley surveys the dried-up hay standing in a pasture Aug. 30 at Kelley Brothers Farm in Pittston. At the time, Kelley said the beef cattle still could find fresh roots to consume, but "not for much longer."