Drought and drought strategies are the focus of a series of upcoming North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension-sponsored meetings.

On the agenda are: range/forage issues; economics, business management and taxes; livestock management (nitrates, water quality and early weaning); nutrition issues; and Farm Service Agency rules and regulations. A Q&A session will conclude the meetings, and resource material on how to handle stress during a drought also will be available.

The meetings are set for:

• July 31, 7 p.m., Hettinger Research Extension Center, Hettinger;
• Aug. 1, 9 a.m., Grant County Fair Building, Carson;
• Aug. 1, 7 p.m., Days Inn Grand Dakota Lodge, Dickinson;
• Aug. 2, 10 a.m., Center Civic Center;
• Aug. 7, 7 p.m., Zeeland City Hall;
• Aug. 8, 9 a.m., Emmons County Courthouse auditorium, Linton;
• Aug. 8, 7 p.m., Veterans Club, Steele; and
• Aug. 9, 10 a.m., 104B VoTech Center, Bismarck State College.

In addition, Greg Lardy, NDSU Extension beef cattle specialist, says producers can access NDSU drought info at www.ag.ndsu.edu/drought/. In addition, producers looking to buy forage, or those with forage to sell, can access NDSU's FeedList at www.ag.ndsu.edu/feedlist/. Producers with grazing land available or looking to custom feed cattle for the winter also are asked to enter their info on the FeedList, Lardy says.
-- Joe Roybal