Farmers, ranchers to have new tool to help deal with drought

Bismarck, N.D. (AP) Ranchers hit by drought are getting a new tool.

It's a computer program called the Drought Management Calculator and it's been three decades in the making.

The calculator is designed to determine ideal herd sizes and feed amounts based on a farmer's weather and livestock data.

Jeff Printz is a rangeland management specialist for the National Resources Conservation Service office in Bismarck. He calls it "rancher-friendly." The program will be available at no cost when it's released later this summer. And Printz says it relies just as much on its users as it does up-to-date data from the Web.

It asks ranchers to enter such information as quantity, weight and classifications of animals, and accurate precipitation figures.

The Drought Management Calculator compares that data to what is normal for the area to determine carrying capacity, or how many animals a rancher could be expected to handle. In drought years, the calculator will suggest how many of each animal class should be sold.



(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 06-05-07 1616CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list