Rangelands Continue To Dry In The West

Most livestock producers would love to see half or more of their grazing lands in good to excellent condition this time of year, but nationally over the last couple of weeks, pasture conditions have been steadily heading downwards.  USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey said nationally, pasture and range conditions are 35% good to excellent, which has held steady.  But unfortunately nationwide, we've added another 1% to the poorest category meaning now 32% of the nation's grazing lands rated poor to very poor. 

“And we do see some increasing problems across the High Plains. Extending into parts of the West where it has been. Rather hot and dry recently.”

In Washington for example, 65% of pastures are now in poor to very poor shape.  Rippey added there are several western states with more than half their grazing lands and poor to very poor condition.

“On the flip side, relatively lush conditions continue to grace the Midwest. We have a couple of states even this late in the summer, still over 70% good to excellent.” 

Rippey said those include Minnesota and Missouri.

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