As of March 18, 17% of North Dakota is in a severe drought (D3), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. This is the most severe spring drought conditions recorded for the state in the last 20 years. Now is a good time to be thinking about drought management strategies for the 2021 growing season.
NDSU Extension has been putting together drought preparation resources for farmers and ranchers. The resources can be found at www.ag.ndsu.edu/drought. Some of the resources available are:
Recordings of the “Preparing Your Ranch for Drought” webinar series. The topics of the webinars included 2021 Drought Outlook, Drought Trigger Dates and Gazing Strategies, Supplemental Feed and Forage Options, Water Supply and Quality, Herd Management and Reduction Strategies, and Managing Stress During Drought
News releases about drought-related strategies such as:
Weed control strategies in dry conditions
Small grains disease management in dry years
Dry seedbed preparation
Livestock water quality considerations
Cyanobacteria (blue/green) algae information
Publications on drought-related topics
Determining grazing readiness for native and tame pastures (R1061)
Strategies for managing drought in the northern plains (R1819)
Livestock water quality (AS1764)
For questions about the following topics or how to find the following resources, contact the Stutsman County Extension office at 701-252-9030 or alicia.harstad@ndsu.edu.
