Hay Hotline now active; producers encouraged to report conditions

What this means

A factual summary is pending editorial review. The complete official release is reproduced below with issuer attribution and a direct link to the original publication.

Official release

Source material from North Dakota Department of Agriculture. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

BISMARCK – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has activated the Hay Hotline, as parts of the state are experiencing abnormally dry or moderate to severe drought conditions.

“Ranchers who need hay, or those with hay to sell or with pasture or hayland to rent may use our online form and map, or give us a call,” Goehring said. “Your name and information will be added to the Hay Hotline map for other producers to find nearby forage resources.”

To view hay, pasture and hayland available, producers may visit the self-service Hay Hotline map. To list any of those resources, producers may utilize the online Hay Hotline form. A special Hay Hotline program number is also available at 701-328-5110, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Producers are encouraged to report local drought impacts by submitting a Condition Monitoring Observer Report (CMOR) directly to the National Drought Mitigation Center. Producers can also send information to their county North Dakota State University Extension office, for submission by Extension.

“Submitting a report helps provide a better understanding of local drought impacts that may not be apparent in broader-scale climate data,” Goehring said. “The reports are used in developing the U.S. Drought Monitor map, which triggers federal and state drought assistance and response efforts.”

More information about the reports and a link to submit a report is available at www.ndda.nd.gov/drought-resources.

NDSU Extension recommends submitting a report once a week throughout the growing season to provide an ongoing comparison of wet, dry and normal conditions at your location.

Reports are displayed on a CMOR map and contact information is not displayed publicly without permission.

Release text attributed to North Dakota Department of Agriculture. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.