National Drought Mitigation Center
Overview
Why Plan
Geographic Applicability
Technical Assistance by State
Colorado
Kansas
Montana
Nebraska
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oklahoma
South Dakota
Texas
Wyoming
How to Use This Site
About Us
Resources
Tracking Drought Impacts
SARE Webinare Series
Drought Basics
Geography & Drought
Precipitation Patterns
Timing of Precipitation
Plant Growth per Inch of Moistures
Freeze Free Period
Evaporation Rates
Herbage Production at Three Latitudes
Are You Impacted by Drought
Knowing When You're in Drought
Weather & Drought
What is Normal Precipitation
Measuring Drought
Drought Monitoring and Outlook
Short & Long Term Forecasts
Livestock Production & Drought
Grasses & Drought
Plant Growth & Development
Grass Repopulation & Reproduction
Season & Timing of Plant Growth
Grazing & Drought
Pasture Diversity & Drought
Overgrazing & Drought
Grazing Practices & Soil Moisture
Finances & Drought
Inventory
Precipitation
Average Precipitation
Monitoring Precipitation
Forage & Range
Range/Ecological Site
Range Condition
Forage Availability
Residual Forage
Rangeland Monitoring
Livestock
Inventory Herd
Monitor Livestock Performance & Health
Grazing Records
Water Resources
Finances
People
Before Drought
Start Here Before Drought
Strategic Planning
Grazing Strategy
Grazing Management Systems
Grazing Pressure & Stocking Rate
Continuous Season-long Grazing
Rotation Grazing
Flash Grazing
Decision Support Tools
Grazing Response Index
Sandhills Defoliation Response Index
Forage Resources
Water Management
Water Development Projects
Cost-share Programs
Enterprise Mix - Herd Flexability
Financial Management
Federal Crop Insurance Options
During Drought
Start Here During Drought
Drought Plan Principles
Pasture Management
Finding Feed - Financial Considerations
High Grain Rations
Alternative Forages
Testing for Toxins
Destocking - Financial Considerations
When to Destock
Early Weaning
Water and Heat Stress
Family and Human Health Issues
Disaster Assistance and Financial Options
After Drought
Start Here After Drought
Grass Recovery
Management Priorities After Drought
Financial Options After Drought
Write a Plan
Develop Strategies
Strategies to Prepare for Drought
Drought Response Strategies
Drought Recovery Strategies
Sample Drought Plans
Central Arizona - Bar X Ranch
Central South Dakota - Daybreak Ranch
Nebraska Sandhills - Reed Hamilton Ranch
Nebraska Sandhills - Tippets Myers Ranch
Southwest Nebraska - Shamrock Ranch
North Central Kansas - Adams Ranch
North Central Nebraska - Hipke Ranch
South Central Kansas - Alexander Ranch
Southern Colorado - Welch Ranch
West Texas - Johnson Ranch
Monitor
Home
Inventory
Ranch management cannot be optimized without inventorying and monitoring all natural resources.
Precipitation
Inventory
Average Precipitation and Drought
- average precipitation and timing, historical frequency and severity of drought
Monitor
Precipitation and Drought
- plant year and monthly precipitation, drought status, short and long term forecasts
Forage and Range
Inventory
Range Site
- plant communities, growth curves, indicator species
Range Condition
- successional plant community, hydrologic health
Monitor
Range Condition
- trend in plant community and health, photopoints, check list
Forage Production
- carrying capacity, clip and weigh method
Residual Forage
Livestock
Inventory
Herd
- class, number, feed needs, stocking rate
Monitor
Grazing Records
- numbers, class, dates enter and exit pastures