Dr. Gale Dunn,
Agricultural Systems Research Unit, Ft. Collins, CO
Thursday,
January 28, 2010.
12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.
A.R.S.
Annex Conf. Rm. (now known as the Bridge)
The final version of the Drought Management Calculator (DMC) is here and Dr. Gale Dunn will be at the Range Forum to explain how it works and how it has been tweaked to fit North Dakota’s rangelands and climate. An incredible amount of data and review work has gone into making this a useable tool for managing North Dakota’s rangelands.
The DMC was developed to assess the impacts of drought on rangeland which is in "good condition". Healthy forage not only sustains the base herd but also benefits overall soil health by increasing water infiltration rates and reducing erosion. Previous season and in-season precipitation are the two dominating factors impacting forage health and production. Drought can also have a carry-over effect on the following season’s forage production. Even with normal precipitation the year after a droughty year, forage production will not be 100% of average.
This is the first practical tool to help agencies and producers predict the effects of drought on forage production and its potential impacts on carrying capacity.
The final version has been a long time coming and now it is here and ready to use.
Bring your lunch and see how you can use this one-of-a-kind tool.
Qualifies for 1 C.E.U.