Drought Monitoring Tools Guide
Guide to drought monitoring tools, listing where to find drought maps and outlooks and how to use them in farm decisions. Work through the steps in order and keep notes on what you find along the way.
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The steps on this page
- Identify the official drought monitor
- Find your county or region
- Read current drought status
- Check forecasts and outlooks
- Review soil moisture data
- Look at stream and reservoir levels
- Note program triggers
- Log what you see weekly
- Adjust plans details
How to use this guide
Follow the steps in order and write down any changes you make. Where your equipment or product has instructions, those come first.
Where to check the details
This sheet is a general template, so confirm specifics with your own manuals, labels and local rules. For current official guidance, start with NOAA and USDA.
For more in this area, see the Crop Calendar. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including Ranch Stocking Rates Calculator Recommends 60 Cows; Drought Votes for Six, and farming farm stories.