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 Monday December 12, 2011.

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.

1. 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

2. Select the best measure of the duration (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

3. 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?

______

4. When was the most recent drought on your ranch (select only one answer)?  Currently in a drought  Last year  2 years ago  3 years ago  Over 3 years ago

1 5. 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:

______

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

______

Management Responses to Drought

7. 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

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

______

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

Not Response Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always 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:

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

1) ______

2) ______

3) ______

11. 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.

Not Response Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always 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:

Planning for Drought

3 12. 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.

Not Slightly Somewhat Importan Very Not Practices Important Important Important t Important 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.

Not Slightly Somewhat Very Not Source Important Important Important Important Important 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? 4  Not Satisfied  Slightly Satisfied  Satisfied  Very Satisfied

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

______

The next section asks general 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

14. 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

15. In what county is the majority of your ranch located?  Apache  Pima  Santa Cruz  Graham  Greenlee  Cochise  Other______

16. What is your age?  <20

5  20-29  30-39  40-49  50-59  60-69  70-79  >80

17. 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

18. 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) ______

19. What percent of your household income comes from ranching?  Under 25%  26 - 49%  50%  51 - 75%  76 - 99%  100%

20. 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!