drought

Relief Fund Set Up for Drought-Stricken Producers

Donations will be distributed early next year, with applications being accepted through the end of this year

  NORTH DAKOTA — A relief fund has been established for producers hit hard by drought. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association and its foundation have established the Hope for the Heartland Drought Relief Fund. Donations will be distributed early next year, with applications being accepted through the end of this year. The North Dakota Corn Growers Association and Corn Utilization…

Recent Rain is Holding Back North Dakota’s Drought Conditions

Escalating drought conditions are still prominent but not getting worse thanks to recent rain

NORTH DAKOTA — Our much needed rain over the past week has keep drought conditions in North Dakota from getting worse. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows 82 percent of the state in some stage of drought, unchanged from last week. Most of central and western North Dakota remains in extreme or exceptional drought. There was a small area…

North Dakota Expanding Hay Donation Lottery

The first lottery drawing will be in September

  NORTH DAKOTA — North Dakota is expanding its hay donation lottery to ranchers struggling with the drought in surrounding states. The lottery is now open to producers in South Dakota and Montana. NDSU, the state Ag Department and Ag Community Relief set up a site on the college campus to accept hay donations that will be given to producers…

Governor Burgum Requesting Federal Help for Drought Relief

The governor said nearly 95 percent of the state is being impacted by drought conditions

  BISMARCK, ND — Gov. Burgum is asking for help on the federal level due to the severe drought conditions throughout the state. He is asking for a presidential disaster declaration through the regional FEMA office and would allow individual and direct federal assistance. Gov. Burgum is also asking for staff from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and other federal…

North Dakota Farmers Hoping to Salvage Crops

Wheat farmers in western North Dakota are seeing the impact of the drought

NORTH DAKOTA — There’re acres of dry dirt where wheat should be growing. Now, farmers in North Dakota just hope to save a portion of their crop. Wheat farmers in western North Dakota are seeing the impact of the drought. One farmer in Belfield said his production is just one-third of what it usually is. North Dakota wheat farmer Ed…

South Dakota Woman Identified in Grass Fire Death

Officials do not yet know if the region's drought conditions caused the fire

FAIRBURN, SD — A South Dakota woman who died in a grass fire has been identified. Authorities say the grass fire spread to the home of 26-year-old Julia Pawelski on Tuesday morning in Fairburn, a town just south of Rapid City. The fire damaged at least three other buildings along with multiple vehicles and hay bales before fire crews got…

Gov. Burgum Declares Drought Disaster for Nearly Entire State of North Dakota

About 16 percent of the state is in severe drought and 18 percent is in the moderate category

  NORTH DAKOTA — Gov. Burgum has declared a drought disaster for nearly all of North Dakota. The U.S. Drought Monitor’s weekly report has rated nearly 46 percent of the state in extreme or exceptional drought, up from 40 percent last week. About 16 percent of the state is in severe drought and 18 percent is in the moderate category….

Vatican to Turn Off 100 Water Fountains in Wake of Drought in Rome

The area has been struggling with below average rainfall for the last two years and the extreme heat

ROME — While parts of the U.S. and much of North Dakota is dealing with extreme drought conditions, the Vatican and the city of Rome are also struggling. For the first time Vatican officials say they can remember, the city state will begin shutting off the 100 fountains that surround the Vatican campus. The area has been struggling with below…

Crop Scouts Studying How Drought Will Affect Wheat Supplies in North Dakota

North Dakota is a top producer of wheat

  NORTH DAKOTA — Crop scouts are touring North Dakota this week to get a better idea of just how the drought will affect wheat supplies. Farmers, seed company representatives, wheat millers and others are surveying fields to determine how much of the crop will be available. North Dakota is a top producer of wheat. The estimated national average for…

Dakota Farmers Slammed by Worsening Drought Conditions

Experts told us some producers will feel the effects of this dry season for many years

LEONARD, ND — Farmers and ranchers in North Dakota are concerned about extreme drought conditions creeping into the eastern side of the state. Some Ag experts said we haven’t had drought conditions this bad since 2006. Last year’s harvest held an abundant yield for many North Dakota farmers. But with drought conditions and little rain, the same can’t be said…