Drought Impacting Cattle, Hay Nationally

This year’s drought has impacted a variety of commodities in several ways.  One crop starting to feel the pressure is hay.  According to USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey, as the drought map expanded in August, more and more of the nation’s hay crop was impacted.

“20% was the drought coverage for U.S. hay as we began the month of August," Rippey pointed out.  "That has increased to 29% as we approach the end of August and takes hay in drought to the highest level since January of 2024.”

Rippey added similar drought numbers were reported for cattle.

“Increasing during the month of August from 15% in drought to 24% in drought over the last four weeks and that, like hay, takes the cattle inventory and drought to the highest level that we've seen since January of 2024.” 

Rippey added wheat continues to see additional acres, nationally, impacted by the drought, with no notable relief on the horizon at this point. 

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