Mitigating Drought

 Links to Drought Mitigation Tools for Agricultural Producers

 Surviving the Drought: Lessons Learned from the 2000–2005 Drought in Nebraska

In June 2006, the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA) in Walthill, Nebraska, presented a workshop, “Surviving the Drought: Lessons Learned from the 2000–2005 Drought in Nebraska”, to help agricultural producers in Nebraska and surrounding areas better prepare for and cope with the effects of drought.

The workshop was presented in North Platte and Chadron, with emphasis on livestock production in the North Platte workshop (Livestock Production and Drought) and both livestock and crop production in the Chadron workshop (Livestock and Dryland Crops in Northwest Nebraska). Although geared toward producers, the workshops drew representatives of agribusinesses, cooperative extension, federal farm agencies, and various nongovernmental farm groups. Presenters included producers, representatives from cooperative extension, representatives from federal assistance agencies, and researchers from universities and nonprofit groups.

The workshop presented results of farmer and livestock producer interviews conducted by the NDMC and CFRA in 2005, along with current drought-related research results and information about available assistance programs. The workshops revealed that a broad range of strategies exist to help producers prepare for and deal with drought.

Power Point slides from all of the workshop presentations are available below. Please note that some presentations are very large and may take a long time to load or save.

Lessons Learned during the 2000–2005 Drought: What Ranchers and Farmers Said
Cody Knutson, National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
(file size:0.97 MB)

Nebraska Drought History, Update, and Forecast
Michael Hayes, National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
(file size: 5.78 MB)

Grazing Management Objectives & Drought
Patrick E. Reece, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Panhandle Research and Extension Center, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
(file size: 3.33 MB)

Tippetts-Myers Ranch
Lynn Myers, Lewellen, Nebraska
(file size: 8.48 MB)

Shovel Dot Ranch: Cattle Ranchers Using 21st Century Technology
Homer and Chad Buell
(file size: 1.62 MB)

Alternative Forage Production and Drought
Jerry D. Volesky, University of Nebraska–Lincoln West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte, Nebraska
(file size: 44.8 MB)

Management Strategies for Beef Cattle during Drought
Brent Plugge, University of Nebraska Extension, Buffalo County, Nebraska
(file size: 2.36 MB)

How to Feed the Cow Herd When There Is No Feed
Ivan Rush, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Panhandle Research and Extension Center, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
(file size: 186 kb)

Economics of Drought Management
Matt Stockton, University of Nebraska–Lincoln West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte, Nebraska
(file size: 196 kb)

Drought Impacts on Finances, Livestock, Land and Families
Scott Cotton, University of Nebraska Extension, Dawes County, Nebraska
(file size: 509 kb)

Nine Mile Creek Watershed Invasive Species Eradication Project
James M. Sarchet, Nine Mile Watershed Council, North Platte Natural Resources District, Gering, Nebraska
(file size: 169 MB)

Alternative Crops and Markets
Wyatt Fraas, Center for Rural Affairs, Hartington, Nebraska
(file size: 572 kb)

Alternative Grain and Oil Seed Crops
Eric Nielsen and David Baltensperger, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Panhandle Research and Extension Center
(file size: 82.9 MB)

USDA–NRCS Programs
Jeff Nichols, USDA–NRCS, North Platte Field Office, North Platte, Nebraska
(file size: 4.64 MB)

USDA Response to Nebraska Crop Disaster Conditions
Jeff Peterson, Farm Service Agency (Dawes County), Chadron, Nebraska
(file size: 694 kb)