The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reporting a notable improvement in drought conditions affecting cattle and hay production as the country enters August. In a recent update, USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey highlighted how reduced drought pressure is benefiting both sectors—particularly across the Great Plains, a region heavily dependent on grazing and forage.
“Cattle and hay numbers for the month of July, first of all, with the diminishing drought across the Great Plains, that has really put a dent in the amount of cattle inventory that is experiencing drought,” Rippey explained.
While the cattle industry continues to feel the residual effects of a prolonged drought period spanning 2020 through 2024, the current numbers reflect a substantial improvement. “At present, cattle inventory in drought for the U.S., only 14% at the end of July, and then hay production area in drought at 18%. So really, we are at multi-year lows.”
These figures mark the lowest drought impact levels for cattle and hay in several years. Rippey added, “You really have to go back into the late 2010s, specifically 2019, to find a time when we have seen consistently low numbers for several months during the growing season.”
This is welcome news for ranchers and hay producers, especially after years of drought-driven market challenges. While drought-related issues are far from over, the decreasing numbers offer hope for improved forage conditions and more stable livestock production.
Looking at month-over-month trends, Rippey noted, “Hay production area in drought down 2 percentage points during the month of July from 20 to 18%, and then the U.S. cattle inventory in drought going from 18% of the inventory in drought on July 1st down to 14% of the U.S. cattle inventory in drought toward the end of July.”
As August begins, the USDA will continue monitoring how these changes impact feed availability, hay yields, and livestock markets across the country. While the outlook remains cautiously optimistic, producers will remain vigilant as weather patterns shift into late summer and fall.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.