Ranchers Need Extra Spring Moisture to Meet Grazing Needs

Over half of North Dakota is experiencing drought conditions heading into the 2025 planting season, with around 12 percent of the state in the abnormally dry range. NDSU Extension Livestock Environmental Stewardship Specialist Miranda Meehan says ranchers will likely need some extra moisture this spring to meet grazing requirements for their cattle. “For the northern part of the Red River Valley we’re projecting above one hundred and fifty percent of normal precipitation from April through July 1 is needed to achieve normal forage production based on current soil moisture levels. In the southern part of the state, the southeast, we have drought conditions and we’re dry but not as dry. There we’re looking at about one hundred and thirty percent of normal precipitation to get to normal or above normal forage production. It really is going to depend on that April through July precipitation.” Meehan warns ranchers not to get too early of a start with grazing this year. “Especially when we’re in drought conditions and things stay dry, it’s going to be really easy to get ahead of our forage and run out of our forage. So, we want to make sure we’re waiting until our grasses reach grazing readiness.”