Producers in the Dakotas Continue Liquidation Due to Drought

reduced forage due to drought in North Dakota
reduced forage due to drought in North Dakota
(North Dakota State University)

Already short on hay and forage after a hard winter, ranchers in North and South Dakota are continuing to reduce herds in response to severe drought conditions.

Earlier this week, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) urged USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to provide timely assistance to counties currently facing extreme drought conditions, and if drought conditions worsen, as they are expected, to be ready to provide expedited assistance from the Livestock Forage Program (LFP). They also asked that Conservation Reserve Program acres be made available for emergency haying and grazing.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R-SD) declared a statewide emergency for his state Friday.

The most recent drought monitor shows all of North Dakota and about 80% of South Dakota is at some level of dryness or drought. Both states are asking to ease haying and transportation restrictions to assist ag producers.

Read more from Drovers.

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