Vanessa Corriher-Olson, Ph.D., Overton, and Jamie Foster, Ph.D., Beeville, said careful management early in a drought can minimize long-term stand damage and help maintain forage yields when rains do come.

In years like this, the forage budget needs to be adjusted to assure the continuity of livestock production. In this sense, to offset the systems, there is a need to reduce the demand or increase the forage input.

The most important tests and nutrients to focus on this year depends in part on where you are located, the choices you make when applying N, and your tillage system.

As expenses increase, and producers evaluate more-efficient management techniques to lower production costs, one alternative may be to incorporate swath, or windrow grazing.

Dryland soybean fields have started to experience heat stress combined with long periods without rainfall. This article reviews potential symptoms of drought and heat stress on soybeans. Producers should scout their fields for signs of stress in order to make timely decisions as the growing season progresses. 

Dryland corn in many parts of western KS is struggling. Some areas have been fortunate to receive rain showers that may result in more growth, but in other cases the plants are already dead and on the ground. Dry conditions are reducing production in both native pastures and forages typically used for winter feeding, so making some use of failed corn will help livestock owners to bridge the gap.

“There is increased interest in planting winter wheat this year and for good reason,” says Clair Keene, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension agronomist.

See the impact that cover crops and a no-till cropping system had on watersheds after high winds and heavy rains rolled through the Great Plains. The difference in the amounts of run-off water is astounding.