The Drought of 2006 - A Very Difficult Summer
A Letter to Our Supporters
The summer of 2006 on the Kuntz Nokota Ranch in south central North Dakota has been challenging, to say the least. The drought that has plagued this area has chased ranchers, Frank and Leo Kuntz, to neighboring counties in search of hay to get the Nokotas through the upcoming winter.
A young blue roan Nokota stallion and his small band conserve energy and catch a slight breeze on a very hot day in a parched and thirsty land.
With our own hay crops a total loss and the governor declaring a drought emergency in our county (Emmons), Frank traveled to neighboring counties in search of CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) land that had been released to farmers and ranchers of those less fortunate counties. It required endless hours and countless miles - driving to every small town within a hundred miles, stopping in every cafe, c-store and watering hole to inquire about CRP hay that might be available - even to the point of stopping to ask people who happened to be parked along the side of the road or working in a nearby yard or garden. Frank was successful in finding available land, but that only means they'll be "working" up to 100 miles from home, driving back and forth every day, moving machinery, spending hours (literally) in the Ag offices of each county, and completing pages and pages of paperwork for each parcel of land he's been able to find. Then he's got to get the hay made, stacked, loaded, hauled home, etc. Then back to the Ag offices in each county to finalize the paperwork. And I won't even mention the amount of time spent fixing failing machinery just to be able to keep going. The deadlines imposed on the CRP lands are upon us and the pace is feverish. Hay must be cut and baled by September 1 and removed from the fields by October 1. Non-compliance penalties and fines are very stiff indeed and could potentially cost us thousands.
Current hay production is less than 1/2 of what will be required to get the herd through the upcoming winter.
Photo of pasture land damaged by wildfire.
This has been the driest year in the Conservancy's history and the worst I personally can recall. There has been a burn ban in effect since the last week of June, which means (among other things) that it is illegal to drive off-road, including pastures, to check horses or water sources, or even to show potential buyers available horses. Fire has been a serious and very real concern and the indexes have been in the "extreme" category for months. As can be seen in the photo, a prairie fire "nearly" consumed the river pasture that almost 80 Nokota horses consider home during the summer months. I witnessed that fire firsthand and it was the scariest experience of my life, watching that fire race before 30 mile per hour winds, incinerating everything in its path. I stood vigil in the pasture, with the horses, behind a wall of volunteer firefighters (Frank among them) armed with hoses and water trucks. The fire traveled up to the very road that separated our pasture from the open prairie, jumping the road in only one spot and only briefly. We were spared that day, but we also realize that a random lightning strike, or a careless passerby, or even a catalytic converter could inadvertently start another fire that might result in a much different outcome.
We have been so blessed in so many ways, and we will continue to do everything within our power to ensure the safety and well being of the Nokota horses. We urge you to consider supporting the Nokota horses and the Conservancy's efforts during this drought emergency. Please send a donation TODAY! Your contribution today will help ensure a secure tomorrow for the Nokotas.
Thank you,
Shelly Hauge
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