ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 25, 2008

JOHNSON URGES LIMITED DROUGHT DECLARATION

BISMARCK – Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson has asked Gov. John Hoeven to consider a limited agricultural drought emergency proclamation to give livestock producers access to a state water assistance program.

“The State Water Commission’s Livestock Water Supply Assistance Program enables producers to start working on alternative pasture water resources,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the program can only be triggered by a gubernatorial proclamation that could be expanded later if necessary if conditions get worse.

“It is still early in the growing season and we remain hopeful the weather patterns will change and that timely rains will ease the current conditions for pastures, grain and forage crops,” he said. “The immediate concern is the lack of available water for pastured livestock.”

Johnson said moisture conditions are seriously short in the western half to two-thirds of the state.

“County extension agents and others report that pasture water resources from dugouts, creeks and seasonal lakes are virtually non-existent due to the lack of winter snow runoff and scarce spring rains,” he said. “It is widely believed that these water resources will remain in short supply even if seasonal precipitation begins to approach or exceed normal expectations.”

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MEDIA: For more information, please call Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov or Patrice Lahlum at (701) 239-7210 or plahlum@nd.gov.