Skip to main content

Flood Resources for Agriculture

Use this information to prepare for and manage flood on your farm or ranch.

All Flood Resources for Agriculture Content

Ranchers meeting with USDA agents in a farmyard.

A Disaster-Ready Strategy for Cattle Operations

Cattle producers can minimize risk and maximize resilience. Having a written emergency action plan and routine exercise of the plan helps ensure animal welfare and business continuity.

A tall, grassy warm-season cover crop blend grown in South Dakota.

Your Cash Crop Flooded Out. What’s Plan B?

With significantly higher than normal precipitation in eastern South Dakota, many producers will soon be seeking a "Plan B" for their flooded-out row crops.

A corn field in South Dakota looking very wet due to flooding from spring rains and melted snow.

Delayed Planting Challenges: Cover Crop Considerations

High waters and saturated soils across many counties in South Dakota have producers worried about getting their crops planted in a timely manner this spring. In many areas, typical cash crops will not be a possibility. Producers may need to develop alternative plans.

A grass forage blend grows in a central SD field as Red cattle graze.

Delayed Planting Challenges: Alternative Forages

With the excessively wet planting conditions much of South Dakota is now experiencing, many producers are looking for “Plan B” to meet forage needs for their livestock, or as a commodity that can be marketed to livestock producers.

Aerial view of flooding along the Vermillion River of South Dakota.

Educating About Flooding and Associated Activities

This series of five articles is designed to educate readers about flooding and the associated activities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from flood events.

Floodwaters rushing through the Gavin’s Point Dam in South Dakota.

Where do floodwaters go and what do they leave behind?

Understanding the pathways and impacts of receding floodwaters is crucial for effective flood management and recovery efforts.

Residential water well in a flooded lawn.

Restoring and Sampling Private Wells in South Dakota

In South Dakota, private well owners must take immediate and effective steps to restore their wells after a flood. This guide provides essential information on assessing, repairing, disinfecting, and sampling your well.

Flood waters obstructing a paved country road.

Understanding Flood Hazards in the United States

Understanding the different types of flood hazards and their causes is crucial for effective flood management and disaster preparedness.

Herd of cattle grazing a flood-impacted pasture.

Management of Flood-Damaged Pastures

Receding flood water is just the start of recovering pasture ground following a flood event. Learn some expert tips for thoroughly evaluating damaged pastures before regrazing.

Flooded soybean field with tan, corn residue throughout.

Replanting in Flooded Soybean Fields

If you have large, flooded areas where soybeans have died this summer and herbicides are limiting your replant options, consider trying late-maturing soybeans as cattle feed this year.