Armstrong, Goehring announce activation of livestock water supply program as drought disaster declared
State Water Commission directs $2M for cost-share assistance; USDA issues secretarial disaster declaration for 7 counties in ND, 4 in MT
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring today voted with the State Water Commission to activate a water supply assistance program for livestock producers as the governor declared a drought disaster for extremely dry conditions across North Dakota.
The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday by the National Drought Mitigation Center showed 33.6% of North Dakota in moderate drought, 28.1% in severe drought and 2.3% in extreme drought – the first report this summer to include extreme drought status. The remainder of the state was rated abnormally dry except for part of Dickey County.
“This July ranked as one of the hottest and driest on record in North Dakota, putting enormous strain on livestock producers who are just trying to keep their herds watered and fed and their operations afloat,” Armstrong said. “Today’s action supports producers who want to invest in water projects that will help them through the current drought and make their operations more resilient against future droughts. Our agencies will continue to explore every option for relief as drought conditions persist.”
It was the sixth-warmest July on record in North Dakota, with an average high temperature of 86.9 degrees, and the 12th-driest July on record, with total average precipitation of 1.25 inches, according to the State Climate Office. Many areas of the state received less than an inch of rain in July.
“The drought has dried up livestock dams that producers usually depend on for grazing, and water quality has been a serious concern,” Goehring said. “The actions taken today will provide more permanent solutions and mitigate drought impacts for livestock producers in the future.”
The State Water Commission voted unanimously today to activate and make $2 million available for the Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Project Assistance Program. The program provides cost-share assistance on items including new water wells, rural water system connections, pipeline extensions, pasture taps and associated works, as well as labor, materials and equipment rentals for work completed on new water supply projects. Each producer is eligible for cost-share on up to three projects and may be reimbursed up to 65%, but no more than $10,000, of the eligible cost of each project.
The program is funded by oil extraction tax revenue, authorized by the State Water Commission and administered by the North Dakota Department of Water Resources (DWR).
Livestock producers in counties impacted by drought rated D2 (severe) or higher, and adjacent counties and tribal nations, will be eligible for the program, which was established in 2017 and last activated in 2021.
“North Dakota ranchers are facing difficult conditions, and we want to ensure they have the tools and resources needed to weather this drought,” DWR Director Reice Haase said. “This program gives producers an opportunity to address those immediate needs while also investing in a more resilient future.”
Producers seeking more information about the program may call (701) 328-4959 or email dwrlivestock@nd.gov. Program details, eligibility requirements and application information are available at dwr.nd.gov.
The Department of Agriculture also activated its hay hotline last week as an option for producers seeking hay supplies. The hotline is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (701) 328-5110.
A number of federal drought assistance programs also are available:
In a letter received Monday, U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Brooke Appleton notified Armstrong that the USDA has issued a secretarial disaster declaration for two North Dakota counties – Golden Valley and McKenzie – as primary natural disaster areas due to recent drought with intensity ranging from severe to exceptional. Five additional counties in North Dakota were named as contiguous disaster counties – Billings, Mountrail, Williams, Dunn and Slope – along with the Montana counties of Fallon, Richland, Roosevelt and Wibaux.
A secretarial disaster designation makes farm operators in primary and contiguous counties eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loan assistance, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months to apply for the emergency loans. Those with questions are asked to contact FPAC.BC.Congressional@usda.gov and reference disaster designation number 2026N00000902.
Additional information on drought resources and current burn ban restrictions and fire danger levels is available at www.ndresponse.gov.
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