Opportunities and resources are available to help producers get through this dry season.

Allow at least a week for plants to reduce nitrate accumulation before grazing or haying.

The best way to prevent nitrate poisoning is to control the type and quantity of forage offered to livestock.

Dry weather brings about many factors to manage, including water, nitrates, silage and forage.

Farmers in areas experiencing dry conditions and low soil moisture should implement a grazing management strategy.

To maximize legume benefits, there needs to be a cycling of above- and below-ground plant parts back to the soil.

NDSU Extension specialists recommend having a plan in place with well-defined trigger dates for implementing drought management strategies.

There are a few options for extending the grazing period beyond early spring.

Look back on past grazing management to anticipate how it can affect 2026 forage production.

NDSU Extension experts recommend having a drought plan in place, regardless of spring conditions.