Drought Response and Information for Minnesota Farmers

The extended and widespread drought this summer in southern and Northwest Minnesota is causing major crop and forage losses for Minnesota farmers. NRCS is working to adjust program contracts, apply waivers and modifications in light of the weather-related hardships.

In anticipation of crop failures, forage and feed shortages, pasture damage, and other consequences of the drought, we are directing our staff to work with farmers to provide guidance on repairing practices, re-seeding, and modifying contracts, and any other actions we can take to assist Minnesota farmers during this time.

Some of the steps NRCS is taking:

• Initiate compliance plan variances and waivers to accommodate change in rotations or tillage due to weather

• Reschedule new practices and construction starts

• Forages - Coordinate with partners to identify sources of emergency forages

• Seeking additional funding to repair damaged or failed practices

• Briefing all staff on emergency response and assistance to drought

Cover Crops for Erosion Control and Forage after Drought

• Managing Cover Crops Profitably (pdf, 4.5 mb)

• Minnesota Department of Ag (MDA) Cover Crop

• Map of severely affected counties eligible for special EQIP cover crop signup  (pdf, 204 kb)

• Cover Crop Chart and Species Information  (pdf, 6 mb)

• Midwest Cover Crops Decision Tool 

• University of Wisconsin's Emergency Forage Cover Crop Tips