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HELENA- Montana ranchers may have some tough decision to make in the weeks ahead if the recent dry conditions persist.

Nearly 17% of Montana is in a severe stage of drought this week, compared to last week when the state was only in the 6% range, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

The dry conditions have limited the hay crop, forcing a lot of ranchers into a drought management plan to prepare for what may lie ahead.

"We are in a very serious situation and in Montana you are always one year away from a drought, so it is something that the ranchers are used to dealing with, people have learned to be prepared and to have a plan in place and to make some tough decisions," Errol Rice of the Montana Stockgrowers Association said.

The Montana Stockgrowers Association encourages people in the ranching community who haven't been severely affected to help out with extra pasture for lease or extra hay for sale. To do so, you can use the Northern Ag Network's classifieds.