The North Dakota Department of Agriculture reactivated the Drought Hotline and interactive hay map, and Farm Rescue has ramped up its hay lift program.

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring reactivated the Drought Hotline and interactive hay map on April 28.

First activated in 2017, the hotline and map are available for ranchers affected by the drought.

“Ranchers who need hay, or those with hay to sell or with pasture or hayland to rent should call us at 701-425-8454,” Goehring said in an announcement about the Drought Hotline and interactive hay map reactivation. “We are also appealing to individuals who are available to move hay to contact the hotline.”

The interactive hay map is located on the N.D. Department of Agriculture website at https://www.nd.gov/ndda/, then scroll to bottom of page to “News & Announcements,” and then click on “Goehring launches Drought Hotline and interactive map.”

Users can click on the icons to retrieve information about available hay, pasture and hayland in their area.

“The map is an effort to make the Drought Hotline information more easily accessible to the public,” Goehring said. “We strongly encourage anyone who fits the criteria of our hotline to continue communicating their needs with us so we can keep the map as accurate and up-to-date as possible.”

To contact the Drought Hotline, call 701-425-8454 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Callers can also leave a message on evenings and weekends. The service is free of charge. Individuals who contact the hotline are asked to provide their name, contact information and what they need or can provide.

An overall lack of measurable rain combined with above average temperatures have caused drought conditions to persist across the state, with 93% of the state in severe or extreme drought as of April 22.

Based on the latest crop progress report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the week ending April 25, North Dakota’s topsoil moisture supplies were rated at 80% short or very short. Subsoil moisture was rated at 78% short or very short. Stock water supplies were rated 69% short or very short.

Farm Rescue began ramping up hay relief efforts in April in response to recent wildfires and ongoing drought conditions and in the western Dakotas and eastern Montana.

The organization’s “Operation Hay Lift” was once again activated to haul much-needed livestock feed to ranchers affected by these natural disasters, according to Farm Rescue information.

The organization is asking for hay donations, volunteer CDL drivers and monetary gifts to help support the mission, which will be contingent upon available resources.

Ranchers affected by wildfire or those operating in D2 (Severe Drought) zones or higher are asked to fill out applications for hay hauling assistance, which will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ranchers facing challenges due to wildfire and those residing in D3 (Extreme Drought) zones or higher will be given priority on any available donated hay. If the volume of donated hay does not meet the need requested through submitted applications, ranchers may still qualify for hauling assistance depending on proximity to their farm. Applications can be obtained at farmrescue.org.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those suffering from these natural disasters,” said Bill Gross, founder and president of Farm Rescue. “Please consider donating funds or hay so we can deliver hope to these families in the midst of crisis.”

This will be Farm Rescue’s third Operation Hay Lift campaign in recent history. The organization’s first hay hauling effort began in 2017 in response to previous extreme drought conditions in the western Dakotas. A second campaign was held in 2019, following catastrophic flooding in Nebraska and portions of Iowa and South Dakota.

Anyone wanting to apply for assistance, sign up to be a volunteer CDL driver or make a monetary donation can visit farmrescue.org or call 252-2017. If donating online, select “Operation Hay Lift” from the dropdown menu. If sending a check via mail, please include “Operation Hay Lift” on the memo line and address envelope to Farm Rescue, PO Box 28, Horace, ND 58047.

Those interested in donating hay, should contact Neil Simons, Field Operations manager, at neil@farmrescue.org or 212-3851.