Research has shown that April precipitation is one key predictor of growing season forage production in our region.
As spring arrives and livestock producers begin making plans to turn cattle out onto range and pastureland available forage is top of minds. The South Dakota Drought Tool found on the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Pasture and Forage website is a tool livestock producers can use to help predict peak forage production explained Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension Climate Field Specialist.
"This drought tool is best used as a forage supply prediction tool uses precipitation and temperature data and is a great resource for assisting livestock producers with their grazing management decisions," Edwards said. "The S.D. Drought Tool is a great resource to help inform planning decisions. There are other ways to monitor forage production, but this is one great tool livestock producers can keep in their tool box."
The website also features maps of the current drought condition, according to their data analysis, and maps that show the estimated July 1, 2016 Peak Forage Production.
Edwards said that the information is updated at least monthly, and more often in the spring season.
Information Tailored to Your Operation
The S.D. Drought Tool link on NRCS website, connects producers with an Excel sheet they can use to estimate forage production at their own location.
"The S.D. Drought Tool is a research-based, online calculator that assists producers in estimating forage production each season," Edwards explained. "It takes into account climatology of precipitation, the measured amount of monthly precipitation over the last two years, as well as other factors."
Each month the data is weighted according to field research that has helped to determine critical months of precipitation for forage production in our state. Teaming up with SDSU Extension, SDSU Ag Research Stations and other partners, the S.D. Drought Tool allows producers to select a weather station near them, or enter their own monthly precipitation totals, for a local estimate of forage peak production and current drought status, Edwards explained.
"If you have not used this tool before, just give it a try. Instructions provided on the website are easy to follow with the resulting summary page providing livestock producers with color-coded drought status, anticipated forage and hayland production, as a percent of average production."
She added that the site also features tips for managing a potential drought situation and developing a contingency plan, if desired.
Click here to see more...