Drought Concerns Across Western ND - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

While the ground may be covered with a few white flakes--the dirt is dry underneath.

Many farmers are worried for their crop and many ranchers are worried about enough grass growing to feed their cows.

Ag Reporter Sarah Gustin has the story.

The story is the same across Western North Dakota.

(JOHN DHUYVETTER / NDSU Livestock Specialist) "We had a normal May and June seasonal rains. in July August, September through the end of the year we basically got almost little to no rain, subsoil was depleted by the growing crop, so we had a pretty good year, but coming into this next year knowing that we are going to have to have really timely rain cause there is nothing in the bank account."

After a dry fall and a dry start to the winter, the worries start.

(JOHN DHUYVETTER / NDSU Livestock Specialist) "Finishing the crop, carrying the pastures, getting second cuttings, extending the grazing season, options of fall for the cattlemen, big enough hay piles.

NDSU Rangeland Specialist Kevin Sedivec says the amount of rainfall in May and June will determine how much grass will grow in 2013. 

Sedivec says delaying turn out is one of the best ways producers can make the grass that is there last as long as possible.

He recommends turning your cows out to grass in late May or early June.

(KEVIN SEDIVEC / NDSU Rangeland Specialist) "The amount of feed they lose by grazing too early in May is 2 to 3 times higher as they lose for grazing too early. So if they can think about ways to keep them cows fed in the lots or in the calving pastures longer, they will get a bigger boost on that on the backside. by grazing it at the right time."

(Sarah Gustin / sgustin@kxnet.com) "While a lack of snow on the ground has many producers worried, one expert says that might all soon change."

(LEON F. OSBORNE / UND Professor) "It's looking like the second half of March and first part of April, we are going to see a very active weather pattern across much of the central and northern plains."

Leon Osborne is the director at the Regional Weather Information Center in Grand Forks. 

Osborne says a stagnant air flow in the Northern Hemisphere has kept storms from forming.

He says the weather pattern is changing, which could mean more moisture heading our way.

(LEON F. OSBORNE / UND Professor)  "What's going to be critical for us, is will we see the rains come as we get into the second half of March and now as we move into April. Are we gonna see those rains come back that are going to allow us to recharge the top soil moisture. Right now the way the pattern is setting up it looks like that is going to be the case."

Osborne says while the dry cycle will break across the northern plains, drought conditions will continue down south, not because there won't be precipitation, but because of the large moisture deficit in that area.