Perceptions of Drought

I appreciate your taking the time to complete this questionnaire. When you are finished, please use the enclosed postage-paid envelope to mail your questionnaire on or before

MondayDecember 12, 2011.

Perceptions of Drought

A person’s perception of drought is influenced by deficit, duration and season. The next 3 questions ask how your perception is influenced by these factors.

Droughts include measures of deficit (amount missing). Please select the statement that best matches your definition of a drought.

 Less than 90% of expected rainfall

 Less than 75% of expected rainfall

 Less than 50% of expected rainfall

 Less than 25% of expected rainfall

Select the best measure of theduration (length of time) of rainfall deficit that best matches your definition of a drought.

 1-3 months

 4-6 months

 7-12 months

 Longer than 12 months

Droughts include measures of timing (season) when a rainfall deficit occurs. Select the response that best matches your rating of the relative importance of summer versus winter rain in defining a drought.

 Summer rain is more important than winter rain

 Winter rain is more important than summer rain

 Summer and winter rain are equally important

Why do you feel this way?

______

When was the most recent droughton your ranch (select only one answer)?

 Currently in a drought

 Last year

 2 years ago

 3 years ago

 Over 3 years ago

Do you feel that you are more prepared for drought now than you were 10 years ago?

 Yes

 Somewhat

 Same

 No

 Not applicable

Please state a reason(s) why you feel this way:

______

Do you have any additional comments to add about your perceptions of drought?

______

Management Responses to Drought

Drought conditions may raise a number of concerns for your ranch operation. Rank the importance (1= highest and 4= lowest) of these four statements.

Level of Importance
Recovery of range after drought
Condition (health) of livestock
Amount of forage available
Water available for livestock

In the previous question, if the most important factor was not in the list, what do you consider it to be?

______

There are many possible responses to drought conditions. In your experience, how frequently have you performed each of these practices in response to drought?

Response / Never / Rarely / Sometimes / Often / Always / Not Applicable
Sell calves
Wean calves or yearlings early
Cull animals
Purchase additional feed
Add more water access points for livestock
Rotate pastures
Apply for drought relief/insurance
Lease additional pasture(s)
Other:

Please list 3 ranching practices that you find to be the most effective in responding to drought conditions.

1)______

2)______

3) ______

In general, why do you choose to perform certain practices (i.e. selling calves) over others during a drought? Check the box that indicates the importance for each decision.

Planning for Drought

There are many different practices that can help prepare a ranch for future drought conditions. Check the box that best describes the importance of these practices for preparing your ranch for drought.

Practices / Not Important / Slightly Important / Somewhat Important / Important / Very Important / Not Applicable
Develop a drought management plan
Rotational/Deferred Grazing
Fire management
Range monitoring
Add additional fencing
Rent/Purchase additional grazing land
Reduce herd size
Maintain drought reserve pasture(s)
Add more drinking water sources
Stock additional feed
Apply for drought insurance
Other:

1)There are a number of sources available to provide information on how to manage for drought. Check the box that indicates how important you find the following sources in providing you with information or assistance regarding drought management.

Source / Not Important / Slightly Important / Somewhat Important / Important / Very Important / Not Applicable
Other Producers
Family Members
Private Consultants
University or County Extension Agents
NRCS Personnel
BLM Personnel
AZ State Land Personnel
U.S. Forest Service
Society for Range Management
Ranching/Livestock Associations
Other:

2)Are you satisfied with the drought management information you receive?

Not Satisfied

Slightly Satisfied

Satisfied

Very Satisfied

3)What could be done to improve the drought management information you receive?

______

The next section asksgeneral questions about you and your ranching operation. All of the information is confidential and will not be connected in any way with your name. This information will be used to help analyze the results of the questionnaire.

General Information

How many years have you been managing your ranch?

 <1 year

 1-9 years

 10-24 years

 25-49 years

 50-75 years

 >75 years

In what county is the majority of your ranch located?

 Apache

 Pima

 Santa Cruz

 Graham

 Greenlee

 Cochise

 Other______

What is your age?

 <20

 20-29

 30-39

 40-49

 50-59

 60-69

 70-79

 >80

What is the average size of your livestock herd?

 <50 head of cattle

 51 – 100 head of cattle

 101 – 200 head of cattle

 201 – 500 head of cattle

 >500 head of cattle

Which types of land do you use to raise your livestock (check all that apply)?

 BLM

 US Forest Service

 AZ State Trust Land

 Private Lease

 Private Land

 Other (please specify) ______

What percent of your household income comes from ranching?

 Under 25%

 26 - 49%

 50%

 51 - 75%

 76 - 99%

 100%

Which of the following best describes your ranch operation? (Check all that apply).

 Cow/calf/stocker operation

 Stocker cattle only

 Hold calves after weaning

 Other______

Your responses are very important to us! Please use the enclosed postage-paid envelope to mail this survey to us on or before Friday January 6, 2012. Thank you!