Below is the November 1 edition of the South Dakota Grassland Productivity Outlook map produced using data from the South Dakota Drought Tool. From July until end of November, only Current Status Maps will be produced. The maps are also posted on the South Dakota Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Range and Pasture Web page (www.bit.ly/RangePasture). The South Dakota Drought Tool utilizes a two-year weighted average of precipitation data to determine its percent of normal production calculation. The numbers are calibrated based on historical clipping data from across the state. This prediction only relates to grassland forage production (not so much cropland) and will not predict forage quality. Producers utilizing this map should consider local conditions when making decisions as the weather stations used to create the map are not equally spread out across each county of the state.
Conditions have continued to decline over the past two months (according to this map compared to September and October, as well as the U.S. Drought Monitor). Lack of fall precipitation may impact next year’s spring growth – especially if winter precipitation is less than normal. In order to conserve the moisture we do receive – consider leaving at least 4 to 6 inches of grass height for this winter. This will not only help catch snow, but also reduce wind erosion over winter, and water erosion next spring if snow melt occurs. Leaving enough residual grass can also help provide soil “armor” or cover to help insulate the soil from evaporation, erosion, and wide swings in soil temperature. Having the right amount of ground cover can influence infiltration rates as well.
If you are planning on winter grazing this year (or year-round grazing as some folks like to call it!), make sure to watch the new video produced by the Growing Resilience project (www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYczr2Lv-SA). This video includes two rancher’s perspectives on year-round grazing, how to successfully implement it, and key considerations needed. Another video that could come in handy this fall/winter season – check out the Bale Grazing video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdozEwxLZOE) – highlighting three producers’ use of bale grazing.
The following resources are also available:
SD NRCS Range and Drought page: bit.ly/RangePasture
SD Grassland Coalition’s Drought Planning website: sddroughtplan.org/
National Drought Mitigation Center: drought.unl.edu/ranchplan/Monitor.aspx
National Integrated Drought Information System: drought.gov/U.S.
Drought Monitor: droughtmonitor.unl.edu
SD State Extension Drought Resources: extension.sdstate.edu/drought
SD Growing Resilience Web page: www.growingresiliencesd.com
SD Grazing Exchange: www.sdgrazingexchange.com/
Original source can be found here.
