DROUGHT

Business

Dry conditions mean more wear and tear on planters, increased demand for irrigation

Innovative Ag in Bridgewater, South Dakota, has seen a need for more planter maintenance and irrigation needs due to dry soils.

Columns

Whether it rains or not, drought fears in the region are never far away

Turns out, we're in drought conditions in North Dakota about as often as we're not. Jenny Schlecht reflects on that and how much we worry about drought really depends on timing.

May 5

Subscribers Only

Business

Farmers in the region see a dry start to growing season as planting ramps up

As planting season begins across the U.S., all of South Dakota falls under drought conditions on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Farmers across the region are making typical progress toward seeding fields.

Apr 14

Weather

The National Weather Service wants your weather data

The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network plays an important role in agriculture and is seeking volunteers to help collect precipitation data.

Apr 29, 2024

Latest Headlines

Business

Dry weather, flea beetles eat away at North Dakota's 2021 canola production

Drought was the main reason U.S. canola yields were dramatically lower than last year.

Oct 16, 2021

By Ann Bailey

Weather

An issue remains with moisture 'underneath,' though rains improve drought situation for the moment

Wheeler said the deep moisture profile, deep in the soil, is what the U.S. Drought Monitor measures, along with other drought indicators like the levels of reservoirs and lakes.

Oct 14, 2021

By Jenny Schlecht

Minnesota

Heavier rains in the forecast should help charge soil moisture and chip away at drought conditions

Even with improvements since late August, drought conditions remain a serious issue in much of the region. But StormTRACKER meteorologist Jesse Ritka said some storms in the forecast could help

Oct 7, 2021

By Jenny Schlecht

Business

Western ethanol producers 鈥榗aught in the jaws of a vise鈥� with short corn supply and weak biofuel demand

Gerald Bachmeier, chief executive officer of Red Trail Energy, Richardton, North Dakota, and Philip Coffin, vice president of Midwest AgEnergy LLC, at Underwood, North Dakota, discuss countermoves to a drought for acquiring local corn and getting it from eastern producers. Both companies started their histories by bringing corn in on unit trains and are preparing to do it again. Both are planning to inject and store carbon dioxide byproducts for a market advantage.

Oct 4, 2021

By Mikkel Pates

Weather

Region is still not 'charged with moisture' but a mid-October change might be coming

STORMTracker meteorologist John Wheeler says the next two weeks are expected to remain above average in temperature and relatively dry. But he sees a change coming around mid October.

Oct 1, 2021

By Jenny Schlecht

Minnesota

$10 million in drought relief announced for Minnesota farmers

The proposed package includes $5 million in rapid response grants to provide drought relief for livestock producers and specialty crop producers, and $5 million for the Rural Finance Authority鈥檚 Disaster Recovery Loan Program.

Sep 24, 2021

By Agweek Staff Report

U.S. Drought Monitor report for September 23

Weather

Soil moisture and drought continue to improve but concerns remain for 2022

STORMTracker meteorologist John Wheeler said soil moisture throughout much of the region has improved, but the deep soil profile remains dry. That means prolonged periods of dryness could put the region right back into the throes of drought.

Sep 23, 2021

By Jenny Schlecht

Drought increases interest in irrigation

Business

Drought reignites irrigation from the Missouri River Garrison Diversion Project's McClusky Canal

Farmer Paul R. Anderson of Coleharbor, North Dakota, is jumping back into his 鈥�.007 Project,鈥� 鈥� irrigating from the Garrison Diversion Project鈥檚 McClusky Canal. Anderson is convinced that an investment into a variable-rate system is wise considering a multi-year drought trend and will help his family in future generations.

Sep 20, 2021

By Mikkel Pates

The drought situation continues to improve

Weather

Drought isn't over, but there has been a 'very modest modicum of improvement'

So while the 2021 drought is nowhere near over, recent changing weather patterns have created "a very modest modicum of improvement in terms of drought severity," Wheeler said.

Sep 16, 2021

By Jenny Schlecht

Minnesota

$250 million in front-line worker pay, drought relief in the mix for Minnesota special session

Lawmakers and commissioners were nearing a deal on how to appropriate $250 million to front-line workers ahead of a possible special session, a top Senate leader said Thursday, Sept. 9.

Sep 9, 2021

By Dana Ferguson

Weather

Recent rains continue to improve drought but soil moisture deficits persist

StormTRACKER meteorologist Jesse Ritka said rain since mid-August has made a big difference in the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Sep 9, 2021

By Jenny Schlecht

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DROUGHT