Associated Press

Gov. John Hoeven has declared an "early phase'" ricultural drought emergency in North Dakota.

Hoeven' executive order Friday triggers a state Water Commission program that helps ranchers with the cost of creating permanent water supplies for cattle.

Hoeven says there are "xtended dry conditions across the state and little significant rainfall in the forecast." Hoeven says water supplies were not replenished by spring runoff. He says dry conditions, low subsoil moisture levels, high winds and lack of rainfall will hurt crops and pastures.