National Pasture Conditions Worsen, NW Numbers Hold

The past week saw the quality of the nation’s rangeland and pasture conditions deteriorate.

“44% of the nation's rangeland and pastures currently rated very poor to poor," USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey said.  "That is up 3 percentage points from a week ago. Meanwhile, good to excellent ratings dropping to 28% down from 31% a week ago.”

The South Remains Dry

One of the parts of the nation struggling the most is the southeast, with seven states, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, and West Virginia reporting 60% of their pastures are very-poor to poor.  But Rippey said for him, the greatest concern is the Great Plains and parts of the Rockies.

“Some of those concerns extend into the West, Arizona and Utah, both in that 40 to 65% very poor to poor range,” Rippey added.

Pasture Conditions Across the PNW Look Good

Here in the Northwest, pasture and rangeland conditions are faring better, with 52% of Washington considered good to excellent, 62% of Oregon is in that category, and 71% of Idaho’s pasture and rangelands are considered good to excellent.

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