Fortunately, farmers can take some actions to better prepare for and survive a drought. Look carefully at irrigation systems as a long-term investment. Accurate forage inventories in silos, hay mows and other storage areas help you determine feed supplies during a drought. Note the amount and accessibility of each lot of uniform quality forage. Your local feed representative or agricultural agent can assist you with this process.
Diversification can be a good long-term approach to revenue shortfalls from drought.
Contact your Cooperative Extension office or your Small Business Development Center for more information. The earlier you enroll in feed assistance or financial assistance programs, the sooner you will be eligible for help. See your county agricultural agent about eligibility for grants, loans and other types of assistance. Likewise, contact your lender about potential problems before you are in over your head. You may be able to renegotiate current payment plans and establish an emergency plan if the dr ught persists and additional financing is needed.