The Drought Playbook for Resilient Farms and Ranches

Drought doesn’t begin when the grass turns brown.

It begins much earlier—when producers continue operating as though rain is guaranteed.

In this short-form episode, three experienced South Dakota Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) representatives—Tanse Herrmann, Marcia Deneke, and Emily Rohrer—share practical strategies for navigating dry conditions before they become a crisis.

This conversation is focused on one central idea:

Hope is not a drought plan.

The discussion moves beyond panic and reaction into practical decision-making for both livestock and crop producers. From delaying pasture turnout and adjusting stocking rates to rethinking fertility timing, yield goals, crop plans, and forage options, this episode is about staying flexible while protecting both the resource and the bottom line.

The speakers also explore how drought can create opportunities for collaboration between crop and livestock systems—including grazing standing crops, alternative forage options, and tools like the South Dakota Grazing Exchange.

Throughout the episode, one message remains consistent:

Act early. Stay flexible. Protect the resource.

What You’ll Learn

Why drought planning must begin before conditions become severe

The importance of delaying turnout when grass is “green but not growing”