Drought conditions occur gradually over time, sometimes making it difficult to take immediate action. A viable plan needs to have decision points. A short-term drought (lasting one season or year) requires man- agement adjustments, but generally won’t impact the ranch’s via- bility over the long term. In contrast, a multi-year drought may last 3-5 years or more. Each year, drought effects will be multiplied by the management decisions made during previous years. A few years into a multi- year drought, ranch managers may have far fewer management alternatives and resources to work with. Long-term impacts on the ranch’s financial health, ecological health, and rancher stress can be devastating. Having a plan will help producers get through a short- or long- term drought while minimizing damages.
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Published on 10/16/2025 (18 days ago) Ranch News