Much of the High Plains is experiencing varying intensities of drought, and North Dakota has had below normal precipitation all year.

While never an easy decision to make, cow-calf producers may need to decrease herd size during drought conditions to reflect a decrease in pasture carrying capacity, according to Lacey Quail, North Dakota State University Extension livestock management specialist.

“Reproduction is the largest driver of profitability in the cow herd,” says Quail, “so it is critical to prioritize reproductive efficiency in retained females if faced with culling decisions during drought.”

Consult calving records

Marketing nonpregnant females may often be a more straightforward decision.

“While it may require a more detailed look through herd management records, it is equally as important to examine when pregnant females became pregnant during the breeding season and subsequently calved during the calving season,” says Quail.

Cows that become pregnant in the first cycle of the breeding season (first 21 days), thus calving at the beginning of the calving season, are more productive. On average, calves born to these females are heavier at weaning compared to calves born later.

Not only do these females raise more pounds of weaned calf, but early-calving females are also more likely to conceive in the next breeding season compared to females calving near the end of the calving season. This is an especially important detail to consider for first-calf heifers, says Quail.

Heifers that calve in the first 21 days of their first calving season continue to calve early in future calving seasons, and stay in the herd a full year longer, on average, compared to heifers that calve later in their first calving season.

“This pattern promotes herd longevity, building a foundation of females whose lifetime exceeds their breakeven point, improving efficiency and profitability of the operation,” says Quail.

For more details from NDSU Extension on the importance of early-calving females, visit ndsu.ag/first-21-calving.

Minimize heat stress

Quail says it is best to proactively manage cattle to minimize heat stress by managing water, transportation, shade and fly control. When temperatures rise above the thermoneutral zone, cattle must utilize more energy to dissipate heat and maintain their internal temperature.

For more NDSU Extension information on identifying and managing heat stress, visit “Dealing With Heat Stress in Beef Cattle Operations” at ndsu.ag/beef-heat-stress.

Minimizing heat stress is especially critical during the breeding season, as high temperatures (often experienced during drought) can negatively impact the fertility of both sires and dams. Increases in temperature can impair the production of good-quality sperm, eggs and embryos – all of which may result in decreased pregnancy rates.

During drought, cattle may be moved more frequently to reflect forage production and availability, as well as to reach dependable, good-quality water sources.

“Plan to handle, transport or trail cattle in the morning when the risk of heat stress is typically lower,” says Quail.

For a daily forecast of cattle heat stress risk, visit the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network website.

Nutritional stress may also be evident during drought as forage quality and availability decrease. For spring-calving herds, the grazing and breeding seasons overlap.

To optimize health and pregnancy success, forage and water resources, as well as nutrient requirements, need to be carefully managed together. When cattle lose body condition and become thin after calving due to unmet nutrient requirements during lactation, their likelihood of conceiving during the breeding season decreases. Supplementation may be required to meet energy and protein requirements while grazing drought-impacted pastures.

Prepare for other drought factors

Quail provides some additional tips for managing a herd in a drought:

• Accurately determine pasture carrying capacity and stocking rate.
• Prioritize females that consistently become pregnant in the first 21 days of the breeding season and calve early in the calving season.
• Handle and transport cattle in the morning (the coolest part of the day).
• Supplement if necessary to meet nutrient requirements.

For more information about dry conditions, visit ndsu.ag/drought-26.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – May 28, 2026

Source: Lacey Quail, 701-857-7677, lacey.quail@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@nsdu.edu