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

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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

Minnesota

Lake Superior drops below normal water level for first time since 2014

The risks of storm damage and erosion are lower.

Sep 8, 2021

By John Myers

Lifestyle

Repair your drought-damaged lawns now

In today's "Growing Together" column, Don Kinzler says recent increased moisture across the region has given us a window of opportunity to repair our lawns in September.

Sep 4, 2021

By Don Kinzler

Despite the rain, hydrological drought continues

Weather

Rain decreases drought intensity in places but water shortage remains

Several recent rainfalls have started to have an impact on the U.S. Drought Monitor, with the version released on Sept. 2 showing slowly improving conditions in the region. Much of the region has been wet as of late, with northern Iowa particularly so, Wheeler said.

Sep 2, 2021

By Jenny Schlecht

Columns

What is 3.5 inches of rain worth?

It won't save the crops, the hayland or the pastures. The ranchers who've sold down their herds didn't jump the gun; there simply won't be enough feed to get them through the winter, and this recent storm doesn't change that. So, what's the value of 3.5 inches of rain in the middle of a drought?

Aug 30, 2021

By Jenny Schlecht

Northland Outdoors

Drought of '21 has dramatically impacted fish, wildlife

Across Minnesota as a whole the 2021 drought has inched into the top 10. But in the far north the situation is much dryer.

Aug 29, 2021

By John Myers

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Lifestyle

Don't make jelly with these berries because they aren't chokecherries

"Fielding Questions" columnist Don Kinzler also offers advice on fall grass seeding after such a dry summer and autumn tree planting.

Aug 28, 2021

By Don Kinzler

Weather

Recent rains won't end the drought but 'it is looking a little better around here'

The U.S. Drought Monitor didn't improve much this week, even though much of the drought-stricken areas of the Northern Plains received heavy rain. StormTRACKER meteorologist John Wheeler explains why that is and what's coming next in the weather.

Aug 26, 2021

By Jenny Schlecht

Business

Some producers 'pleasantly surprised' by small grain yields

Due to the drought that has plagued the region, many producers braced themselves for devastating yields. But some found themselves pleasantly surprised by their small grain yields.

Aug 25, 2021

By Emily Beal

Business

Drought impacts, and USDA response, vary with geography and different types of farms

While parts of northern Minnesota entered exceptional drought conditions for the first time ever under the modern U.S. Drought Monitor, southeastern part of the state also have struggled with drought conditions, albeit less severe ones. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Aug. 12-13 visited several southeastern Minnesota agriculture operations to talk about drought and support for producers.

Aug 23, 2021

Editorials

Other View: The Minnesota drought has entered a critical phase

The entire state entered the drought warning phase in mid-July. Conditions have worsened in much of Minnesota, particularly northern Minnesota, over the last month, and for the first time since the drought intensity classification scale was implemented in 2000, a portion of Minnesota has entered the exceptional drought intensity classification.

Aug 22, 2021

By Brainerd Dispatch Editorial Board

Lifestyle

Heat and drought have long-term impacts on your yard and garden

In today's "Growing Together" column, Don Kinzler says it's simple: plants need water, and without it they suffer or die.

Aug 21, 2021

By Don Kinzler

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DROUGHT