Droughts have affected several parts of the country, causing decreases in pasture and rangeland conditions. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey discusses updates on pasture conditions.
“We did see a one-point increase in the very poor-to-poor ratings for pastures nationally,” said Rippey.
“Now 36 percent, up from 35 percent a week ago. The good-to-excellent rating dropped a point from 34 percent last week to 33 percent good-to-excellent nationally this week. The Midwest, 60 percent good-to-excellent or greater in every Midwestern state, except Nebraska and the Dakotas,” Rippey added.
Rippey also said, “We’ve even seen enough improvement in the south, previous drought-affected areas, that we’ve seen pastures now rated greater than 60 percent good-to-excellent in states like Kentucky, Louisiana, and Alabama.”
Audio Reporting by Elizabeth Sanders for Southeast AgNet.