North Dakota drought worrying crop and livestock producers.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A severe drought plaguing nearly a third of North Dakota is creating concerns for the state’s agriculture industry.
National Weather Service Hydrologist Allen Schlag told The Bismarck Tribune (http://bit.ly/2sATGTs ) that there’s no relief in the near future.
The situation is considered severe because of the near absence of rain since April, when crops went into the ground and alfalfa and grasses began reaching for moisture to continue growing.
Schlag said Bismarck recorded the fourth driest May in more than a century.
"In my career, this is the driest I’ve seen — the longest time without rain in a growing season," said Chad Weckerly, a crop producer.
It’s so dry, the weeds won’t grow."
Crop producer Stan Blickensderfer said he’s selling his winter wheat for livestock feed, and a pair of cattle producers said they’re glad to get it because their pastures don’t look like they’ll end up supporting grazing into fall.
"It’s deteriorating fast.
"In a few weeks without rain, there’ll be no harvest, and we’ll be dependent on crop insurance."