Following drought conditions last fall, NDSU Extension estimated a 20-to-25 percent in grassland forage production under normal precipitation conditions for this spring. Even with an average amount of rainfall in May, Extension forage and rangeland specialist Kevin Sedivec said North Dakota ranchers will still experience production losses. “To even get us back to expecting normal forage production, we would need to recieve about 10 inches of rain,” said Sedivec during a drought webinar. “The odds of us getting 10 inches of rain are pretty low. If we stay dry in May, it’s going to be worse than a 25 percent reduction.” Taking that into consideration, there are strategies ranchers can implement to get the most production out of pastureland and hayland this year. Sedivec said that starts by delaying pasture turnout in May. “We lost tillers last fall during drought. So, I’d delay turnout at least one week, if not two, beyond normal.” Listen to the story.