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Regional & Seasonal Equipment GuidesDrought-Year Equipment Strategies
A drought year changes which machines earn their keep. Water hauling, feed handling and soil protection take priority, while some tillage and harvest equipment may sit idle. Planning for that early saves money and effort.
Key points
- Service the machines doing the hauling first
- Check hitches, tires and brakes before every water or feed trip
- Protect soil by limiting tillage and avoiding overgrazing
- Watch fire risk and check burn restrictions
- Consult a lender, accountant and FSA before big purchases
How does a drought change what your equipment does?
Work shifts toward hauling water, moving feed and managing pasture and stock instead of harvesting a big crop. Tractors and trucks may log more hours on transport and fewer on field work. Check which machines are carrying the load and give those the closest service attention.
At the same time, some equipment sits idle. Idle machinery still needs care, so keep a basic routine of grease, dry storage and battery checks.
A cattle ranch and a 30-acre hay farm will feel a drought differently, but the habit is the same: write down each machine, what it is doing this year and what it will cost to keep it running.
What equipment do you need for hauling water and feed?
Water hauling uses tanks, pumps, trailers and trucks. Water is heavy and sloshes, so check hitch, safety chains, tires, brakes and lights before every trip, and follow the towing and weight limits in your manuals. Your state DOT or highway patrol can tell you the rules for trailers and loads on public roads.
For feed, a loader, bale spear or feeder wagon does most of the work. Keep loader loads low and avoid slopes with heavy bales.
- Check hitches, chains, tires and brakes before every haul
- Secure tanks so the load cannot shift
- Know your state's trailer and weight rules
- Keep spare hose, fittings and a pump repair kit on hand
How do you protect soil and pasture when it is dry?
Dry ground blows and erodes easily. Limit tillage, leave residue where you can, and avoid overgrazing, since bare soil loses its cover quickly. Your NRCS office and extension agent can advise on drought plans, stocking rates and cover practices.
Resting a pasture in a dry year often pays off later. Moving animals and gates is simpler with a utility vehicle and a few portable panels.
Cover and residue protect soil from wind and sun. If you are tempted to work ground only to make it look tidy, leave it alone, because disturbed dry soil dries out faster.
What hay and feed equipment decisions come up?
If hay is short, you might buy feed, bale crop residue or cut roadside and ditch grass where permitted. Each choice has its own equipment needs, so check what your baler and tractor can handle before you commit. Ask your extension office about feed testing and safe feeding practices.
Do not run old equipment harder than it can handle. A breakdown in a short hay window is expensive.
Safe feeding matters as well. Drought-stressed forage can carry problems that a feed test will reveal, and your extension office or veterinarian can explain what to test for.
How do you reduce fire risk in dry conditions?
Dry grass makes every spark a risk. Keep exhaust areas clear of chaff, avoid mowing in extreme dry wind and check local burn bans and restrictions before cutting, welding or grinding outside.
Carry an extinguisher and know the escape route from every field you work.
Should you repair, rent, borrow or buy?
A drought squeezes cash, so think carefully before big purchases. Compare repair, rental, custom hire or sharing with neighbors against buying. Talk with a lender, an accountant and your local FSA office about what assistance exists and what terms apply. Programs and rules vary, and nothing here is financial advice.
Many owners do better by spending on maintenance of what they have than on something new.
Ask neighbors about sharing a baler, a water trailer or a tractor for the season. Shared use spreads cost, provided you agree in advance who pays for repairs and who services the machine.
When should you call for help?
A qualified mechanic should check hydraulic, brake or steering concerns on water-hauling rigs, since heavy loads magnify any weakness. Your insurance agent can tell you how coverage applies to equipment used differently than usual.
Check with your extension office, NRCS and FSA for drought-specific guidance and programs in your area.
Sources and further reading
- USDA Farm Service Agency
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Oklahoma State University Extension
- Kansas State University Research and Extension
Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.