BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring is urging ranchers in flood-prone parts of the state to move animals from low-lying areas to higher ground.

More than 90,000 cattle died last year because of severe spring flooding and the previous harsh winter. Many animals were cut off from feed when snowmelt runoff left them stranded, and Goehring says there is the potential for a repeat this spring.

Many cow-calf producers in North Dakota say this year's calving season so far has been easier than last year's because the weather and the flooding have not been as bad.

Morton County Extension Agent Jackie Buckley says many ranchers have delayed their calving season this year because of the problems they encountered last year.

Copyright 2010 The AP.