Drought forces ranchers to buy hay or sell cattle.
BLACK HILLS — The drought that has been drying out the pastures in north-central and western South Dakota is forcing some ranchers to bring their cattle to auction early this year.
Thor Roseth of the Belle Fourche Livestock Auction said he’s been seeing an increase in the total numbers of cattle being sold over the past month.
He said it’s possible to get hay out of Nebraska, but the cost of shipping hay for hundreds of miles adds to the already high price.
Chapman said he hasn’t been forced to sell any cattle yet, but it may become necessary soon.
“I might have to sell some of them if it stays dry,” said Chapman.
Unless conditions improve, that authorization will stay in effect until the end of September.
Dennis Daugaard issued an emergency drought declaration and activated the state Drought Task Force to monitor drought conditions in the state.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor July 11 update, 72 percent of South Dakota is seeing moderate drought conditions or worse.
Nearly 11 percent of the state is experiencing extreme drought conditions.