NDSU Extension- Pierce County

09/03/2026

Unfortunately drought conditions continue to worsen ndsu.ag/drought

Your reports are critical to showing local conditions. Please keep submitting reports weekly https://droughtimpacts.unl.edu/Tools/ConditionMonitoringObservations.aspx

Not sure what to report? https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/reporting-drought-impacts-north-dakota-condition-monitoring-observer-reports

09/03/2026

Welcome Miryilyn to the Extension Office! We are so excited to have a cooperative student from Rugby High School working with us this year!

09/03/2026

Ranchers! Check out the new resource NDSU built for you to help you keep your cow-calf records. Lacy Quail the Beef Specialist says: The Cow-Calf Record Book is a new livestock resource available on Ag Hub as a downloadable Excel file. It is built to be interactive and provide automatic summaries of herd records for an entire production cycle from conception to weaning, regardless if producers have basic or extensive records. Herd performance is then compared to North Dakota and nation-wide averages, if available, so producers can get a quick snap shot of their herd.

Download the file for your use today!

NDSU Cow-Calf Record Book Tool

08/31/2026

Yay! We got rain to help our pastures, in the middle of harvest, but that seems par for the course this year. When drought conditions are followed by a period of rain, you need to watch out for nitrates! Before you decide to move cattle to some areas of regrowth, check out this article.

Allow at least a week for plants to reduce nitrate accumulation before grazing or haying.

08/28/2026

If your garden was in the flood, make sure you know what you can eat and what you can't! https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/salvaging-flooded-garden-produce

08/25/2026

🌾 Dry conditions are challenging — but what if we used them as an opportunity to make our operations stronger?

This NDSU Extension article covers practical ways cattle producers can navigate drought, from herd culling and early weaning to stocking rates, water development, fencing and available USDA assistance.

🐄 Identify the weak links.
💧 Strengthen your resources.
🌱 Improve grazing management.
💰 Take advantage of programs and opportunities that may be available.

Good years build. Tough years teach.

A great read for anyone raising cattle in the Northern Great Plains. 👇

Opportunities and resources are available to help producers get through this dry season.

08/18/2026

🌾 Worth the read for ranchers navigating drought this year.

The grazing decisions we make now can have a lasting impact on pasture health, forage production, and next year's grazing season.

NDSU Extension shares some great insight on pasture recovery, grazing management, and preparing for the possibility of drought continuing into 2027.

🌱 Protect the grass. Plan ahead. Build resilience.

👇 Full article:

After a dry summer, ranchers should have a grazing management plan in place. Drought conditions can impact grazing resources across North Dakota, creating challenges for ranchers.

08/18/2026

Keep reporting your drought conditions!

7-25-26

08/14/2026

🌟 Meet the newest member of the Pierce County Extension team! 🌟

Please help us welcome Teghan, who joined our team this week as our new Administrative Assistant!

Teghan comes to us with a background in farming, ranching, and construction, bringing a great combination of experience, a strong work ethic, and a positive attitude to the office. We’re excited to have her on board!

She is looking forward to getting to know the people of Pierce County and helping support the many programs and services that Extension provides to our community.

Whether you have questions about agriculture, 4-H, horticulture, or Extension programming, please don’t hesitate to reach out or stop by the office and say hello!

We’re excited to have Teghan as part of the team and look forward to all the ways she will contribute to Pierce County Extension! 💚

Extension is here for you—helping our community grow stronger, together.

08/14/2026

CRP Emergency Haying has just been approved for Pierce County, contact FSA if you are interested in doing so. However, if you think D2 is not accurate, please consider reporting your specific situation. Check out this article for information.

Is the Drought Monitor Map accurate for the conditions in your area?

The CMOR reports you provide are *critical* in shaping the Drought Monitor Map, which is tied to federal assistance for farmers and ranchers.

Enter Your Reports 👇
https://droughtimpacts.unl.edu/Tools/ConditionMonitoringObservations.aspx