Pasture Conditions Don’t Look Good Nationwide

There was only a slight improvement in the poor to very poor ratings of pasture and rangeland conditions nationwide in the most recent USDA numbers.

"49% very poor to poor, that is down a point from the previous week and there is no change in rangeland and pastures rated good to excellent," said USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey.  "Steady this week at 25%."

Despite those low good to excellent numbers, Rippey pointed out that some stretches of the country, and the Pacific Northwest, report green pastures.

"Across the north, we see rangelands and pastures at least 70% good to excellent in several states, including Idaho, and North Dakota, two states that were hit so hard by drought last year."

Some of the best pasture conditions right now are found in the eastern U.S.