Weathering Risk on the Ranch workshops set for Oct. 6 & 7

BROOKINGS — SDSU Extension is hosting the Weathering Risk on the Ranch workshop Oct. 6 in Lemmon and Oct. 7 in Rapid City.

“This workshop for ranchers will focus on opportunities and challenges of weather and climate-related risk management,” said Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension Climate Field Specialist. “We invite any rancher or others who advise or work with ranchers to attend and learn about some resources and tools for monitoring conditions in the field and some ways to plan ahead to manage risks.”

Participants will receive a toolkit to aid them in creating a plan for drought management on their own ranch. They will also be eligible to receive a rain gauge and soil infiltration kit at the workshop.

The Oct. 6 Lemmon workshop will be held at the SDSU Extension Regional Center in Lemmon (408 Eighth St. W) and runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (MST). The Oct. 7 Rapid City workshop will be held at the SDSU West River Agricultural Center (1905 Plaza Blvd., Rapid City) and runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (MST).

Topics include:

• Why You Need a Written Drought Plan, and How To Do It, presented by, Cody Knutson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln National Drought Mitigation Center;

• Weather and Climate Monitoring, presented by Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension Climate Field Specialist;

• Measuring Grassland Productivity, presented by Pete Bauman, SDSU Extension Range Field Specialist;

• Using Pasture, Rangeland, Forage – Rainfall Index Insurance, presented by Matt Diersen, SDSU Extension Risk/Business Management Specialist;

• S.D. Drought Tool and Efficiency of Soil Infiltration, presented by Stan Boltz, USDA-NRCS Rangeland Management Specialist; and

• Best Management Practices for Range, presented by Roger Gates, SDSU Extension Rangeland Management Specialist and Dave Ollila, SDSU Extension Sheep Field Specialist.

No Pre-registration required, but RSVPs are appreciated. There is no cost to attend and lunch will be provided. For more information, contact Laura Edwards at SDSU Extension Regional Center in Aberdeen, (605) 626-2870 or Laura.Edwards@sdstate.edu.