Drought
We can’t control when it rains on Colorado’s Eastern Plains, but pairing a disciplined drought plan with virtual fencing has allowed us to double our pasture rest and protect our grass.
Results from Farm Journal’s State of the Beef Industry Survey.
Two years after the ‘3 Ps’ framework was introduced, market volatility and parched pastures continue to stall long-term heifer retention.
Early weaning is a vital tool for saving pasture and cow body condition, but stacking heat stress on top of weaning stress can be a disaster. Here is how to plan your approach.
USDA says its new package will help rebuild the cow herd, expand processing and support ranchers with risk management tools and disaster recovery flexibility.
In a rush to supplement dry pastures, producers are using old chemical containers to haul water — with lethal consequences for their herds
Oklahoma State’s Derrell Peel breaks down how summer heat, drought and trade news are shaping the market recovery.
As pastures dry up, Extension specialists say water supply and quality deserve the same planning as feed.
Early-weaning reduces herd forage needs and opens new marketing opportunities. Learn how to manage calf health and nutrition in hot weather.
As drought limits forage quality and availability, soybean hulls offer producers a byproduct feed with near-corn energy value — here’s how to use them correctly.
From early weaning to strategic destocking, learn how to calculate your ranch’s true carrying capacity and protect your long-term genetics.
From culling strategy to water quality to federal disaster programs, a step-by-step guide for cattle producers navigating dry conditions.
NOAA officially declared El Niño on Thursday and says the climate pattern has a 63% chance of reaching “very strong” status by fall, potentially shaping U.S. weather through harvest and winter.
After a historic 10-month stretch of dryness, improving moisture conditions are helping crops and pastures, but long-term drought impacts continue to linger across parts of the High Plains and West.
In the aftermath of a historic blaze, Sandhills ranchers say burnt pastures, drought conditions and feed shortages are testing resilience while relying on donations and faith to recover.
Ben Rand of Blue Line Futures says an unprecedented Western drought is shrinking crops, drying up wells, tightening hay supplies and accelerating cattle herd liquidation across the region
A historic lack of winter moisture and drying water sources are forcing Wyoming and Nebraska producers to make gut-wrenching choices. At Torrington Livestock Markets, sales volume has surged to nine times its normal seasonal average.
Meteorologist Eric Snodgrass says warmer Pacific waters - not just El Niño - could drive a wetter, stormier summer across much of the Midwest and central U.S.
Beyond the flames, Nebraska ranchers face a “short-term decision for a long-term problem” as the loss of grass and fences threatens the future of the industry.
CattleFax’s Holden Ramey says grass plus profitability equals more cattle — but ongoing drought and volatility are slowing herd rebuilding despite strong price signals.
A fast-developing El Niño could bring much-needed rain to the Plains, but timing and coverage remain uncertain. Brian Bledsoe explains what a strong event could mean for drought relief.
Brian Bledsoe of Brian Bledsoe Weather explains what’s driving the record heat, how long it may last and why it’s not a repeat of 2012.
NOAA and CPC issue an official El Niño watch with a 62% chance of forming by late summer. Meteorologist Drew Lerner explains why it’s coming sooner than expected, but warns the extreme forecasts may be overstated. What it could mean for global crops this year.
As La Niña Looks to Make One of Its Quickest Exits on Record, Strong El Niño Signals Are Now Brewing
Pacific waters are warming rapidly as La Niña fades. Meteorologists warn the shift could reshape U.S. rainfall, drought conditions and severe weather risk during the 2026 growing season.
Strong winds, above-average warmth and months of worsening dryness created a “perfect recipe” for wildfires across the Southern Plains, scorching pasture and farmland — with little moisture relief in the forecast.
How quickly will La Niña exit this year, and when will El Niño enter the picture? Not all meteorologists agree with NOAA or one another, but the timing could have a major impact on weather this spring and summer.
2026 Weather Outlook: La Niña’s Quick Exit, El Niño’s Potential and the Signals Farmers Should Watch
Meteorologists predict a quick La Niña exit, with a 75% chance of transitioning to ENSO-neutral by Jan-March. Expect neutral conditions to persist through at least late spring with a growing chance of El Niño in 2026.