Drought Lingers Over the West and Great Plains

Drought Monitor
Drought Monitor
(UNL EDU)

American ranchers are facing a dry start to the summer grazing season. U.S. Pasture and Range conditions were rated 49% poor to very poor by USDA this week. That’s a 7% improvement over two weeks ago, but still behind the five-year average, which shows that about 12% of pasture conditions fell into the lowest two categories.

Pasture and range

In the West, pasture and range conditions were rated 39% poor to very poor last week, which is slightly better than the overall U.S.

The Great Plains, however, started the season at 60% poor to very poor, but has seen improvement to 46% poor to very poor over the past two weeks. The 5-year average shows the Great Plains start the season at about 10% poor to very poor.

The Greta Plains states are where roughly 60% of the nation’s beef cows call home, which means roughly half of the nation’s cow herd is under the two harshest categories of drought conditions.

Improvement in pasture and range conditions have occurred over the past week, especially in the eastern region of the Great Plains. But the improvements were not experienced by all.

In the Kansas City, for instance, the Kansas City International Airport has recorded 13.51 inches of precipitation so far in 2022, which is about 1.11 inches above normal.

That contrasts with Amarillo, Tex., which has only received 1.5 inches of precipitation for all of 2022 through mid-May. Amarillo typically receives about 19 to 20 inches of rainfall annually. USDA's May 16 Crop Progress report listed 76% of Texas pasture and range conditions as poor to very poor. The maps below show the comparison of drought designations in Texas for 2022 and last year.

 

TX May 22TX May 21

 

Latest News

Biden Administration Restores Wildlife Protections
Biden Administration Restores Wildlife Protections

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to reinstate rules protecting endangered plants and animals, action that would reverse changes made during the Trump Administration that weakened the Endangered Species Act.

Across Breed EPD Adjustment Factors
Across Breed EPD Adjustment Factors

EPDs from multiple breeds can be compared by adding/subtracting the appropriate adjustment factors to the EPDs resulting from the most recent genetic evaluations for each of 18 breeds.

APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies
APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies

The livestock industry continues to grapple with the first confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle, while federal and state agencies continue to assure consumers there's no concern about the safety of the U.S. milk supply.

Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps
Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.

USDA Authorizes CRP Graze and Hay Donations to Wildfire Victims
USDA Authorizes CRP Graze and Hay Donations to Wildfire Victims

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants can donate emergency grazing authority to ranchers in Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas impacted by recent wildfires.

New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows
New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows

A new resource developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CattleFax helps cattle producers maximize profitability from their culling decisions.