FAIRMONT — Martin County remains in an extreme drought, along with a large portion of Minnesota, 35 percent, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. 75 percent of the state is only a step behind in what is classified as severe drought.

The state entered a drought warning phase nearly a month ago in the middle of July. At that time the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources convened the State Drought Task Force, which comprises 21 state, federal, tribal, regional and local agencies and organizations with water-related responsibilities.

According to the DNR, under current conditions, it would take at least five to eight inches of precipitation spread over the next month to significantly alleviate drought. This is up from July, where it was stated that it would only take three to five inches of rain over a two-week period. This level of drought presents obvious wildfire risks, very low river, lake and well levels, as well as a host of other issues.

At the extreme drought level, emergency haying and grazing authorizations begin. According to information provided by the press office of U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Klobuchar and Senator John Thune (R-SD), recently sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requesting swift action from the department to ensure livestock producers have additional emergency haying and grazing options as the drought continues. The senators specifically asked for clarifications regarding emergency haying when the U.S. Drought Monitor designates D3 extreme drought conditions.

“Livestock producers in Minnesota and South Dakota are particularly concerned about certain Conservation Reserve Program acres that are eligible for emergency haying and grazing under D2 conditions but are ineligible when a county moves to D3 conditions. When conditions on the ground worsen, producers already facing a shortage of hay and available grazing lands should be provided with more options–not fewer,” the senators wrote.

The information also states that Klobuchar has worked to support Minnesota’s rural communities throughout the drought. Earlier this month, she successfully advocated for the USDA to allow producers to request emergency haying and grazing authorizations on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land.

She also helped secure additional technical and financial assistance for farmers and livestock producers impacted by the ongoing droughts.

A portion of the letter to the USDA reads as follows:

We write in response to the significant concerns that we have heard from farmers and ranchers in our states about persistent drought conditions and the lack of flexibility on emergency haying when the U.S. Drought Monitor designates D3 extreme drought conditions. We urge you to prioritize quick action to ensure that livestock producers have more emergency options as drought conditions worsen.

Livestock producers in Minnesota and South Dakota are particularly concerned about certain Conservation Reserve Program acres that are eligible for emergency haying and grazing under D2 conditions but are ineligible when a county moves to D3 conditions. When conditions on the ground worsen, producers already facing a shortage of hay and available grazing lands should be provided with more options–not fewer.

Our understanding is that administrative policy changes were made earlier this year with respect to emergency haying of wetland restoration acres under D3 conditions. We respectfully request clarification about those changes, and we urge you to prioritize quick action to ensure that livestock producers have additional emergency options as drought conditions worsen. We look forward to working with you to ensure a quick recovery from the drought.