drought

2018 Expected To Be A Better Harvest Season

corn, soybean production are predicted to drop while wheat production is expected to rise

FARGO, ND — Farmers across the Midwest had a much drier season in 2017. Agricultural industry leaders at the Northern Ag Expo say farmers could have a turn of luck in the New Year. Drought conditions made work a lot harder for Midwestern farmers in 2017. “The wheat was a decent harvest but we needed more rain,” said farmer Steven Erickson….

North Dakota Ranchers Offered More Time to Apply for State Aid

The money will help them pay the cost of hauling in hay to maintain their herds through the winter

  NORTH DAKOTA — Drought-stricken North Dakota ranchers are being given more time to apply for state aid. The money will help them pay the cost of hauling in hay to maintain their herds through the winter. The state Agriculture Department is extending the application deadline for the hay-hauling aid program from November 3 to the 13. The program also…

Hundreds of Drought-Stricken Ag Producers Still Struggling

The aid is used to help pay the cost of hauling in hay to maintain their livestock through the winter season

  NORTH DAKOTA — Hundreds of North Dakota farmers and ranchers are expected to apply for more aid in wake of the drought. The state Ag Department is expecting at least 700 applications by the November 3rd deadline. The aid is used to help pay the cost of hauling in hay to maintain their livestock through the winter season. With…

FEMA Denies North Dakota Major Disaster Declaration for Drought

Burgum requested the presidential disaster declaration on August 7

  NORTH DAKOTA — FEMA has denied North Dakota’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration for drought. Governor Burgum concedes the request was a long shot with the enormous demands placed on federal resources by the recent hurricanes and wildfires. He said he is grateful for the emergency assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Burgum requested the…

Drought Conditions Continue to Improve in North Dakota

Both percentages are down only slightly from last week

  NORTH DAKOTA — Drought conditions continue to ease in the Dakotas. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows 58 percent of South Dakota and 60 percent of North Dakota in some stage of drought. Both percentages are down only slightly from last week. Recent rains led to improvements across North Dakota and in eastern South Dakota over the week. There…

Local Producers Optimistic About Harvest Despite Drought Conditions

With the growing season almost over and harvesting around the corner, area farmers say they will still come out with a good product

ARTHUR, ND — The drought in North Dakota left land dry for much of the summer. “We had really nice growing conditions through about the middle of July this year and then here in the Arthur area it quit raining almost completely,” said Kevin Skunes, the First VP for North Dakota Corn Growers. With the growing season almost over and…

Despite Rainfall, Parts of North Dakota Remain in Extreme Drought

The northwestern corner of the state is the only area that remains in the two worst categories of drought

  NORTH DAKOTA — Drought in western North Dakota has eased significantly over the past week. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows a reduction in extreme and exceptional drought from 19 percent to less than 4 percent, due to heavy rains. The northwestern corner of the state is the only area that remains in the two worst categories of drought….

Rainfall Welcomed by North Dakota’s Drought-Stricken Producers

Pasture and range conditions are rated 58 percent poor or very poor

  NORTH DAKOTA — Rainfall over the past week in North Dakota halted or delayed harvest but was welcomed by drought-plagued farmers. The weekly crop report says about half of the topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies in the state are still rated short or very short. The harvest of small grains crops including spring wheat, durum wheat and oats is…

Bank of North Dakota Offering Low Interest Disaster Loans to Drought-Stricken Producers

The loan program is aimed at helping ranchers rebuild breeding stock and to pay for feed to sustain herd levels

  NORTH DAKOTA — The Bank of North Dakota may be making low-interest disaster loans available to ranchers dealing with drought. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring estimates that North Dakota cattle ranchers have sold off about 100,000 animals in recent months due to drought. The loan program is aimed at helping ranchers rebuild breeding stock and to pay for feed to…

Despite Drought Conditions, Small Grain Harvest Wrapping Up in North Dakota

Barley is 96 percent harvested, near last year's pace of 98 percent

  NORTH DAKOTA — The small grain harvest is wrapping up across much of North Dakota. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s weekly crop report says the spring wheat harvest is 94 percent complete. That’s on pace with last year but ahead of the five-year average of 84 percent. Barley is 96 percent harvested, near last year’s pace of 98 percent….