Saturday,  Feb. 15, 2014 • Vol. 16--No. 214 • 2 of 49

Improving Drought Forecasting for our Agriculture Producers
By Senator John Thune

• South Dakota farmers and ranchers are all too familiar with the harsh temperatures of our hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters. In 2012, South Dakota producers experienced the worst drought in nearly half a century, facing devastating loss of crops, pasture, rangeland, and forage, which resulted in more than 80 percent of all U.S. counties classified as "abnormally" to "exceptionally" dry by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
•  In response to the critical impact drought has on our nation's food supply, the federal government in 2006 authorized the National Integrated Drought Information

System (NIDIS) to provide vital drought information to farmers, ranchers, and other industries affected by weather conditions. Since 2006, government agencies have worked hard to develop a long-term plan for drought monitoring, forecasting, research, and education. This important initiative has provided farmers and ranchers with an "early warning system" of timely and accurate drought information, which can save producers and state and local governments money through more effective mitigation and response efforts.
•  As Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees the NIDIS, I co

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