Drought

Weathering drought conditions takes awareness, preparation and proactive management.

SDSU Extension helps farms, families and communities stay ahead of drought impacts through timely climate updates, business insights and the latest research-tested management tips for farms, ranches and properties of all sizes.

It is not a matter of if a drought occurs, but when. View our drought planning resources to help develop your drought management plan to ensure that your operation is able to weather whatever mother nature throws at it.

View Drought Planning Resources

Resources

Weather station at the edge of a large, open pasture.

Climate

Stay up-to-date with drought developments through regular drought monitor reports, weather forecasts and climate updates.

Hybrid corn seeds being loaded into a planter.

Crops

Manage your cropland proactively through all stages of drought with our planting, harvest and pest/disease control resources.

Group of black angus cattle under a hot sun.

Livestock

Protect your animals and your bottom line with expert health, nutrition and management resources for dry conditions.

Producer inspecting rangeland in an ATV with his dog following behind.

Range and Land Management

Prepare your range, land and natural resources for prolonged dry periods with research-tested recommendations from our experts.

Producer and crop consultant reviewing paperwork at a desk.

Business/Economics

Defend your bottom line against drought impacts with timely market insights and business resources.

Wheel barrel full of plant trimmings in a drought-stressed garden.

Gardening and Landscaping

View expert recommendations for managing gardens, lawns and trees through extended dry spells.

Salvaging Drought-Stressed Crops

While drought-stressed crops can be utilized as forage for livestock, there are many factors to consider before harvesting. To help producers navigate through these issues, SDSU Extension and the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition released the, “Salvaging Drought Stressed Crops” video series. Every farm and ranch face its own unique challenges and this information is intended to be applied as producers see fit to their own personal situations.

Use these links to view each video or visit the entire playlist.

Related Topics

Drought: Business/Economics, Drought: Climate, Drought: Crops, Drought: Gardening and Landscaping, Drought: Home and Community, Drought: Livestock, Drought: Range and Land Management, Climate

Related Content

Color-coded map of the United States indicating the June through August 2023 precipitation outlook. For a detailed description of this graphic and data set, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-6729.

June and Summer 2023 Climate Outlook

After an unusually cold spring, the growing season is now in full swing. Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension State Climatologist, shares what to expect for temperatures and precipitation as we approach Summer 2023.

Tan grasshopper with light colored stripes on its back sitting on the soil surface.

South Dakota Grasshopper Prediction for 2023

Grasshoppers can cause serious defoliation in forage, soybeans and corn throughout much of the growing season. See our activity predictions for the 2023 growing season based on the 2022 U.S. Department of Agriculture Adult Grasshopper Survey.

Derecho storm approaching the SDSU campus in Brookings.

Remembering the May 12, 2022 Derecho

Roughly one year later, the catastrophic damage of the May 2022 derecho will not soon be forgotten. Take a look back at the storm's impact and gain some perspective on the environmental conditions that led up to it.