Map of the drought counties in Mt-ND-SD

[Faster horses]

It's a big area.


https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FS ... %20Map.pdf

[Big Muddy rancher]

It goes farther north as well.
Wonder if I turn my steers south into the CRP if I would get in trouble?

[Faster horses]

It goes farther north as well.
Wonder if I turn my steers south into the CRP if I would get in trouble?

You like some danger in your life. Go ahead.

[Silver]

I was listening to Rural Radio on Sirius today, I hadn't realized the size and severity of this drought. I sure hope they get moisture where it's needed.
On an unrelated matter, did you feel some shaking this morning FH? I understand there was an earthquake in Montana this morning.

[Faster horses]

5.8 near Helena, Mt. It was pretty big. I posted about it here, tried to put a video on of the shelves collapsing at Wal-Mart in Helena.

Yes, the drought covers a huge area. Like BMR said, it went north of that map as well, as he is in drought. I've seen plenty
and the only way I got through it was to think every day is a day closer to rain. People are really looking for hay in those
areas. We have bought hay out of Canada before. Usually hay is available up by Glasgow, but they are droughted out too.
Sad deal. I just hope everyone can hang on to their cattle as the prices look to be good this fall. That will help, if they have enough
grass to get them through to then.

[littlejoe]

I wonder--can crp in counties within 150 miles be grazed? That would make sense. As would grazing immediately--drought areas seem to grow and grass fades fast...

[Faster horses]

It might have to be counties adjoining drought designated counties. Anyway, that is how it was in the past. Might be
different this year as we have a new Ag Secretary.

[LCP]

CRP opened for grazing in our county. We can graze 75% of it as determined by NRCS stocking rate. Not sure how they decide that. There is so little CRP around that it doesn't make much of a difference. We have about 100 ac enrolled in the past couple years and these new contracts allow for haying it all every 3 years, or 1/3 each year, even if there isn't an emergency declaration.
Today it reached 102 degrees, 16% humidity, and 20-25 mph wind. Could NOT believe the number of balers going this afternoon driving home from our weekend camping trip. It's not like its going to rain tomorrow, so I think that ditch hay could have waited until the fire danger was a little lower!

Has anyone had experience grazing failed corn? I know nitrates would be the big concern, but if they accumulate in the stalks, can you get by grazing just the leaves? This stuff might not even make much silage. 3-4 ft tall and curling up already.

[redrobin]

Sounds harsh. Our drought was 6 or 7 years ago.. we have so much feed in this area this year it's amazing.