Farmers and ranchers are nervous as spring nears as drought conditions have not receded in many areas. Near New Rockford, North Dakota, that dryness is very concerning for Rhein Valley Farm’s Jeff Schafer. Schafer, who runs a 400-head Angus cow-calf operation and a backgrounding and finishing feedlot with his family. It has made for a unique calving season. “My dad always said if you can calf without overshoes or Muck boots it could be a long year. We’re hoping to get timely rains in April or May that’ll make green grass to sustain our herd.” In a typical year, Schafer raises corn, soybeans, pinto beans and seed oats. This year, that plan may change. “Personally, I think we’re going to be proactive and put more forage crops in because I’m nervous about hay supplies. A lot of our river bottom grass got drowned out last year and hasn’t really come back.” Schafer has more in this Red River Farm Network story.