Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - At the drought's epicenter

At the drought's epicenter

Jul 11, 2006 - 07:21:16 CDT

By LAUREN DONOVAN
Bismarck Tribune

SELFRIDGE - Brandon Leingang will trade his pointy-toed cowboy boots for steel-toed boots and head west. He's one of Sioux County's newest ranchers, but he needs an oilrig rough necking job to pay room and board for his cows.

The cows are leaving Sioux County, too.

Leingang, 22, bought half of the neighbor's ranch last year and stocked it with a small herd.

Some grass and cows of his own was always his idea of happiness.

He knows it's dry down where he lives, half way between Selfridge and Solen, half way between a desert and not most years.

This year, Sioux County is at the epicenter of a severe and quickly widening drought.

The 6 inches of rain so far, on top of no winter snow and a dry fall means a guy's spit dries before it hits the dust.

It means Sioux and nine other counties are officially in a drought disaster for yet another year.

It means ranchers will once again either leave home to cut or buy hay because pastures and hay fields are dry, crunchy and barren, or, like Leingang, they'll find a feedlot somewhere and pay someone a buck a head a day to keep their cows fed.

"I'll never be a rich man," Leingang said.

He likens this drought to a "big ditch," or maybe a "dry gulch." Once across it, he figures he'll be all right. Working the oilrig will pay the feedlot bills, he hopes.

On Monday, Leingang and about 90 other farmers and ranchers met at the school hall in Selfridge to talk to Gov. John Hoeven and hear what help is on its way.

Hoeven said he's trying to get Conservation Reserve Program acres opened Saturday for haying and grazing, like an emergency declaration back in 2002.

That year, it took special effort, but the federal government finally agreed to let drought-stricken producers cut hay in counties that weren't under a drought declaration.

Hoeven said it doesn't do much good to cut only in counties that are severely dry. Ten counties are already under a disaster declaration, with more to drop in this week's intense heat with no rain forecast.

Kelly Froelich, of rural Selfridge, said he's left home three of the last five years to find and cut hay. This year, he might do the same as Leingang and send his cows to a feedlot instead.

Hoeven said he'll work for some form of federal disaster relief, though a couple of ranchers expressed skepticism that the Bush administration would bother with them.

Allen Miller, a Flasher rancher, said, "It seems like Bush is anti-farmer. Payments are cut, time after time. What does this country want? To import (food) like oil? That's why we have $3 gas."

Hoeven also promoted emergency funds to get water wells drilled in dry pastures.

Local rancher Allen Lund said Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative nearly doubled the annual rate to serve pasture wells, and plans to pull meters if the wells aren't used.

Rod Froelich, also a rancher, told Hoeven that the co-op problem "is not an issue you can solve."

Hoeven planned to continue his drought tour today on the east side of the Missouri River.

It's always tough down in Sioux County tough and eerily beautiful with clay mesas and strange butte forms.

Besides the drought, there's always fear of fire.

Shields, a tiny Sioux County town, burned up in a grass fire in 2002.

Bob Demery manages federal grazing pastures for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

He said the fire danger level of five is the "worst it can get out there. It's as bad as it's ever been."

Demery said it's bone dry out in the countryside straddling North and South Dakota, with relative humidity at less than 15 percent. Firefighters are on high alert, he said.

Demery said he expects farm equipment restrictions will be put into effect, requiring fire extinguishers on board and other measures.

While everyone watches for fires these days, they also watch for prairie dogs.

Leingang and Jane Laintz, executive director of the Soil Conservation District, said the small burrowing dogs that live in colonies, or "towns" are really on the move this year.

They're desperate for the grass that's the mainstay of their diet. So, like the cows, they're traveling for food.

Leingang said a prairie dog town cropped up on his family's land, 10 miles from the closest he'd seen in his neck of the prairie.

In a short time, the dogs took over 40 acres. They've been managed with poison, he said.

Laintz said it's no surprised the prairie dogs are on the move.

Moisture in Sioux County is 60 percent below normal and summer has barely set in.

"This is about the sixth year of drought, but I would say this is the worst," she said.

Leingang said it would help if CRP acres were opened for haying and grazing. His pastures are as dried out as a golf course.

"We could use some fuel assistance," he said. "That would be a big plus."

(Reach reporter Lauren Donovan at 888-303-5511 or lauren@;westriv.com.)

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Comments

OLP wrote on Jul 17, 2006 2:56 PM:

" Why aren't the farmers purchasing crop insurance? "

Am I missing something? wrote on Jul 15, 2006 4:58 PM:

" What is all this freebee stuff you all are taking about? No one has offered tohelp me help to get or find hay this year. Sure CRP is open now - but what happens if you don't have acess to it? We are trying to do the best that we can to keep a hold of what we have - but it is hard when there is NOTHING in the pastures for the animals to eat and there is no water for them to drink! Anyone who just thinks that the farmers and ranchers should stop whining about how hard it is - should load their families up and drive south of Mandan down to the South Dakota border this Sunday and see for themselves just how bad it is!! "

agreed wrote on Jul 15, 2006 10:54 AM:

" there are SOME farmers/ranchers that are out to get every FREEBEE that is offered. but remember there are a lot more of them that are silently struggling to make a living. there are also a lot of city people living here that are just living off the government and they are very capable of having a job. a lot of the ND land in CRP is owned by people not even living in ND. they invested in land here; put it out of production, collect govenment payment; preventing a young person who would love to farm/ranch here the opportunity to do so. then when there is a drought; they rent it to the farmers needing hay. they are raking in the money. the rancher is still paying for the right to put up this hay; not to mention the cost of fuel, etc. and to aggravated; "ND farmers DO put a lot of food on your table" "

aggrivated wrote on Jul 15, 2006 6:09 AM:

" I am sure I will be bashed for my comments as is everyone else who comments on this website.. but i have my opinion too. I think farmers and ranchers ARE very hard workers and they deserve a great amount of respect, but!, this is an on going issue and I am sure that it isnt going to go away next year or the year after next and so forth... therefor quit the bashing of people who live in the city, if its so hard and you really do not enjoy it, which it sounds like, then wise up and get an air conditioned job like the rest of us "city folk". Ive been working for pennies my whole life and I have NEVER stuggled for anything... maybe buying that brand new pick up/gas guzzler/the least economically friendly vehicle wasnt such a good decision after all? how do ranchers in california and texas feed and water their cattle with normal temps at around 100? And to comment on the "we put food on your table!" that is BS and you know it... the farms in the United States feed the world.. we as American citizens do not necessarily cosume just ND goods... "

Karen wrote on Jul 14, 2006 2:42 PM:

" and now come the fires......we have this smoke haze that has even cut visibility. It's a vicious cycle. Pray for rain!!!!! "

both sides wrote on Jul 13, 2006 10:25 PM:

" Have been reading these comments and can't keep still anymore. I grew up on a farm, left the farm and wanted to return and own a farm of my own.This venture seemed impossible and I held a lot of resentment for established farmers/ranchers because I though it was their fault due to the subsidies they were receiving. Finally got the chance to purchase a ranch and the going was tough for a dozen years. I worked long hours with junk machinery, didn't have the time to spend those valuable moments with my children when they were growing up and sacrificed a lot of luxuries that my family could have had. After a dozen years of hard work and sacrifices, I finally became halfway financially secure. I have endured major winter blizzards and severe droughts that I have no controll over. Unlike any other business, I can't pass these unexpected costs on to the people who buy my product. I'm paying added costs when I buy a product and taking a deduction when I sell my product, due to the energy crisis. To add insult to injury, my government is using my produce as a pawn to stabilize world trade, thereby driving down my income even further. I see the comments stating; why I don't go to town and get a job. You better hope I don't because the job I take might be yours and If people like me throw in the towel and leave agriculture to corporate America, you will be held hostage every time you purchase food just the same way you are being held hostage every time you fill up your gas tank. If I receive a fair price for the product that I raise, I don't need subsidies. "

North Dakota Resident wrote on Jul 12, 2006 6:06 PM:

" To all the farmers and ranchers down there in the worst part of the drought "hang in there". Maybe this is a true test by "God" to show how really selfish people can be. The fact that you are on your sixth year of this shows how strong of people you are. I hope North Dakota can get all the assistance possible for this. Maybe someone can start a fund raiser also to collect donations to help out with fuel assistance or anything in the near future that the people in this area need. It appears to be the worst in the state. "

Barney wrote on Jul 12, 2006 5:18 PM:

" TO just moved - you did indeed ask for a handout in my opinion by your comment, "... maybe we should be given the poison for free if we have to do all the labor." Well no one asked you to build a house where you did. Perhaps I was a little harsh - but I was trying to make a point to Amanda -she states we don't know what we are talking about - well I tried to point out the flaws in her thinking (fired does not get you unemployment) and that perhaps she should know what she is talking about before she makes accusations. Perhaps I'm cynical because I came from a small town where farmers drove big new pickups, always tried to outdo their neighbor by buying new equipment when their neighbor did, deliberately leaving the sieves in their combines open so their yield was down in their fields so they could collect more crop insurance and then sitting in the bar and bragging about it all the while looking down on people who were not farmers and collecting subsidies. The town I came from had those farmers, not all but a majority of them acted that way and still do. "

To Amanda wrote on Jul 12, 2006 5:00 PM:

" Careful who you attack...I HAVE spent time out in the middle of prairie land during below zero temperatures with the wind blowing 60 miles an hour and I was 130 miles away from my nice cozy home working! I have also spent my fair share of time on a farm...both my grandfathers were farmers. So just to inform you, I could last longer than you think. You know absolutely nothing about me so! My point was that you make it sound like farmers are the only ones who work hard outside. "

k wrote on Jul 12, 2006 4:11 PM:

" Very well said Beesh. My parents are farmers and my mom works 3 jobs other than that to help make ends meet. I do know that they do have insurance, but also that doesn't not even come close to cover the difference if they would get a good crop. Drought 2 yrs ago, hail last yr and drought this yr in southern ND are killing the farmers down there. I believer we all just need to pray and look to the skys for some rain. I know my water bill is going to be insane as well. "

Beesh wrote on Jul 12, 2006 3:42 PM:

" To Entitlement Mentality, you tell farmers tht when things get tough to GET A LOAN?!? Now we're not talking a loan for a couple grand or so, it will be a loan for $50-100 thousand in some cases. Compound that by year after year of dought or hail and it becomes overwhelming. The farmer supplies the food, but you brush if off by saying "the rest of us build the table, supply the water and electricity, build the refrigerators, stoves, trucks, pave the roads". The reason there are tables is to hold the FOOD, the reason water is supplied is to clean, cook and wash the FOOD, the reason for fridges, stoves are to store and cook the FOOD. Roads and trucks are built to transport the FOOD to you. The hub of everything in this country is the farmer who allow us to gett cheaper produce than they can afford to live on to provide it. Barney, I usually agree with you, but you are way off on this. Farmers don't have the luxery to "plan ahead with insurance policies, savings, living within your means, doing w/o when you don't have the funds" When a farmer is fortunate enough to get a good crop, the money they make usually goes into paying the loans obtained to prepare and plant that crop, fixing machinery, paying doctor bills, and putting as much away as possible to pay for gas, food, utilities and family needs. As for the people that tell the farmer to just move to town and get a job, the farmer is a very proud independent person. They will work with injury and sickness, foresake for themselves to help family and friends, would rather scratch the dry dirt for a few bucks, and never EVER complain. Take a person like that and put them in an office, and it will drive them NUTS. I know, I have worked at jobs with farmers. God made farmers close to the earth so they remember where they come from. Cover that up with pavement and you lose your roots. "

Prayers for you all wrote on Jul 12, 2006 3:01 PM:

" I think at a time like this all that can help are prayers so please all say a prayer "

Alright calm down wrote on Jul 12, 2006 2:48 PM:

" Can't we all just get along? "

Amanda wrote on Jul 12, 2006 2:38 PM:

" Hey miss fancy pants!! Just for your info farmers are out their when the weather is blizzard, cold, or hot!! If you would only spend 1 week out their you would not make it. The sweat and dust will kill you!! "

proud to be from ND wrote on Jul 12, 2006 12:57 PM:

" Reading everyone's comments sure make me proud to be from ND. Instead of helping we are going to turn on each other. Growing up in this area was a honor. It is sad to see that we grow up just to dishonor each other. "

To Amanda wrote on Jul 12, 2006 11:31 AM:

" Where do you get off saying that only farmers are the ones working long hours outside. My father was not a farmer or a rancher. He worked longer hours than a farmer EVERY DAY, ALL YEAR LONG and it wasn't in any office. My husband also works from sun up to sun down...he is not a farmer either nor does he work in an office. What about the people who worked hard to plow cable to bring farmers who live out in the country cable/telephone/internet service/electricity and the ones that can't sleep when it storms at night or be safe in their homes because they are on call to make sure you did not go without service for long if it stormed...I grew up with MANY farmers. I would never say that they are not hard workers...actually it all depends on the person, same with any job, but for you to sit there and basically say that anyone not farming is working a cushy 8-5 job is just plain juvenile and wrong. "

Just moved wrote on Jul 12, 2006 8:58 AM:

" Barney, Yes I did have money to buy a new home but that's it nothing left and I'm not looking for a hand out I work a full time job. Do you work? Because where ever you work you must have time to be reading and responding to everybody's comments. And no I never whine I was just hoping somebody would have suggestions on how to get rid of the praire dogs that might not be so costly, but yeah getting your point across their those of us that are educated and their are those that are and still don't get it their just ignorant!! Always worried about someone!!!! "

Mike wrote on Jul 12, 2006 7:40 AM:

" It is human nature to think that you have it worse off than your neighbor. I hear it all the time. Farmers definately have some nice perks, such as enjoying the open country and being their own boss. City folk also have nice perks such as paved roads, city water, and parks. The key here is that we are all Americans and should be helping eachother out in hard times not bashing one another. If you think about supply and demand, the fewer farmers we have the more expensive our food will be. So it is in the best interest of everyone to keep as many farms alive as possible which may mean government assistance in troubled times. "

formerly from ND wrote on Jul 12, 2006 12:43 AM:

" Well Barney apparently you are not from a farm.. you can't just sell stuff. Most farmers already have loans due to the past 5 years of drought and are expected to keep a certain number of cattle and such. So that is not a possibility. Why don't all of you get a clue and realize there is no comparison to having a "town job" to a farmers job. They depend soley on the weather and there is nothing that they can do about it. Wake up people and quit being selfish pigs and get our farmers some help! "

Barney wrote on Jul 11, 2006 11:20 PM:

" We're not against farmers but you have to admit that It seems every time we turn around farmers and ranchers are getting something else. A farm bill with huge subsidies, disaster payments, payments to keep farm land idle, CRP payments (and then they don't allow hunters on the land), tax advantages such as income averaging that the average American doesn't get - are you seeing the picture. Amanda - if my house burned, I have insurance that would pay for it, if you get fired you can't draw unemployment, if you get hurt outside your job you can't get workers comp - that is why you plan ahead with insurance policies, savings, living within your means, doing w/o when you don't have the funds. With choices come consequences. "

Amanda wrote on Jul 11, 2006 9:09 PM:

" Dave-I do work in town and I also work on my parents family farm. I would take farm and ranching over town life anytime. You know thought if your house would be on fire you would look for disaster, or if you would get fired or hurt you would be calling umemployment or workers-comp. Now it is time for our farmers and ranchers to get the handout. I don't know why everybody is so AGAINST them getting the extra assistance. Many people everyday get assistance and nobody is complaining about food stamps or medicaid, and some of them people have the capabilities to work. They are just using the system because they are to LAZY!!! Come on people our farmer and ranchers are hurting!! "

mona wrote on Jul 11, 2006 4:18 PM:

" I am a rancher and live in the area. Sure we have assets, but they are tied up in operating and loans. Get real. "

barney wrote on Jul 11, 2006 3:47 PM:

" Its easier to get your point across to people without insulting them first by the moniker you use to post (e.g. get a clue). "

Get a clue wrote on Jul 11, 2006 3:35 PM:

" My dad is a farmer and I know from first hand experience that these guys aren't out there begging and pleading to get help. If anything they are praying for rain. Those of us that aren't farmers can control what happens at our jobs. If you lose it you can get unemployment help and all kinds of asssistence. Who helps these farmers when it doesn't rain? They pay for crop insurance incase this stuff happens but it is hardly enough to pay the bills. Why is it that our government sees it fit to send MILLIONS of dollars over seas to the Tsunami victims, when they surely aren't sending any money to us when we need help whether it be a drought for the farmers or a hurricane, or tornado. Believe me coming from a farm I know how stubborn these guys can be and I know that they aren't sitting around begging for help. They are up everyday at the crack of dawn looking to the sky and praying that it rains. Hauling water to their cattle and checking everyday if there is something for them to eat. I know that whoever is complaining that the farmers are getting tooooo much help would not want to trade places with them. I know I wouldn't want to rely on my paycheck depending on the weather. So lets all stop complaining about the help that they MIGHT get and try and support them in this really hard time. "

Dave wrote on Jul 11, 2006 3:30 PM:

" Amanda - Why don't you just go to town and get one of those easy air-conditioned jobs? You would never have to 'struggle' again! I grew up on the family farm and would gladly quit my air conditioned job to return if the opportunity comes up. However the government handouts are contributing to high cash rents and inflated land values. I do see the need for help in certain situations, but to say you have it tougher than everyone else is ridiculous. Join the young rancher and go roughneck if you need money - don't whine to the governer. "

formerly from the area wrote on Jul 11, 2006 3:20 PM:

" maybe lauren donovan should look at a map to see what county the town of Shields can be found? ["Shields, a tiny Sioux County town, burned up in a grass fire in 2002." ] Families who lived and fought through the fire of 2002 are still feeling the loss. "

Entitlement Mentality wrote on Jul 11, 2006 2:21 PM:

" I appreciate that farmer's "put food on the table." I suppose it doesn't matter that the rest of us build the table, supply the water and electricity, build the refrigerators, stoves, trucks, pave the roads, etc... Get the idea? We do need farmers and ranchers. But stop trying to guilt the rest of us by whining. If you have a legitimate need, present it. But just stop whining because things are tough. "

Amanda wrote on Jul 11, 2006 2:01 PM:

" You know it is rather WONDERFUL - that you people are talking about selling collectibles or farmers are just waiting for hand outs. You need to look around, farmers are the hardest working people around. These town folks who think that it is all peaches and cream out their, are nuts. I would like to see a town folk go out thier and work those long hours. HAHAHAH!! If it wasn't for us farmers you all would go hungry - who do you think puts the food on your table..FARMERS!! These farmers need help!! Their dams are drying out for the cattle, the cattle have NO grass to eat, and the crops are horrible!!! So who ever has something to say against this doesn't have to worry because Monday-Friday you are sitting in the air conditioning at your desk sipping on coffee, and we are out their struggling!!!!!! Common-Sense can tell you the farmers are hurting!! "

Entitlement Mentality wrote on Jul 11, 2006 1:48 PM:

" I have no argument with helping people when they need it. But who's helping small businesses when they suffer because of high gas prices? No one. If farmers and ranchers only received necessary help when they truly needed it and did not receive handouts every time the weather wasn't perfect, maybe. Otherwise, take out a loan. Pay it back when times are good and save a little. Then when times are bad you can survive. That is what the rest of us do. "

Deb wrote on Jul 11, 2006 12:55 PM:

" I agree with Karen. If my job was growing food to not only put on my and my family's table, but American's tables and Chinese people's tables, and Indian's tables and Iraqi's tables, well, yeah, I'd want some help through hard times too. Farming & ranching could be the single most important jobs in this country and in the world. Why not help them through a tough season or two and then we all reap the benefits when times are good. "

Mike wrote on Jul 11, 2006 12:46 PM:

" Dear Entitlement Mentality, what is wrong with you. Obviously you have a job like I do, you show up, work and get paid. Farmers and ranchers don't have that. They work extremely hard all the time and they are not just given a check. This year will be very bad for many farmers and ranchers as many will be forced to quit. If we don't get rain I believe assistance will definately be necessary for our farmers and ranchers! I know many farmers and ranchers and they would rather have rain than get assistance! "

frank wrote on Jul 11, 2006 12:38 PM:

" A correction on the precipitaion. Since the middle of January there has only been a total of 3.32 inches of precipitation in Fort Yates; including zero so far in July. Not sure were the 6 inches that the article mentions comes from. Under 7 inches of rain is more like a desert climate. "

Karen wrote on Jul 11, 2006 11:34 AM:

" Dear Entitlement Mentality: I surely wish you could see the big picture. If these guys could get a boost to help them out a few months, then they will be able to be good independent farmers and ranchers again, producing YOUR food! Maybe you don't like to eat? If they don't get some help, then they will be in the system for probably 4 years while they do a career change. So you can either help them out for a few months or 4 years! You decide! "

Entitlement Mentality wrote on Jul 11, 2006 10:42 AM:

" It's just the attitude of farmers that they are owed something because things get tough. Everybody has tough times. So stop whining because a handout hasn't been given to you yet. You chose your life. You chose your career. Deal with it, don't whine about it. "

Barney wrote on Jul 11, 2006 10:18 AM:

" To just moved - Typical liberal - give us something for free. I think if you can build a new house you can afford to pay for the poision. Maybe sell a horse or something - but don't expect handouts when you have assets you can use to combat the problem. When I didn't have a job I cut back and sold some collectible items I had because I didn't expect handouts from others. I'm not serious if your comment was serious or a joke but if you were serious I stand by my comment above. "

Just moved wrote on Jul 11, 2006 8:45 AM:

" Heh! We just built a new home in the middle of all this and praire dogs are all around us eating all our feed for our horses does the poison work maybe we should be given the poison for free if we have to do all the labor. "

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