Recent Update on Pasture and Rangeland Conditions

USDA’s latest pasture and rangeland condition report offers a snapshot of how forage is holding up across the country as producers move through the heart of the summer grazing season. Conditions vary widely from region to region with some areas benefiting from timely rainfall, while others continue to battle heat and dryness. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey breaks down the latest pasture and rangeland ratings for the week ending July 26th.

“USDA pasture and rangeland conditions for the week ending July 26th, 42 percent of the country very poor to poor ratings, 29 percent good to excellent, identical to last week’s numbers. Most of the favorably conditioned pastures and rangelands are across the eastern half of the country. Still some pretty good numbers coming in out of the Midwest, for example Missouri, 77 percent of the pastures good to excellent and we have seen enough rain in the south to keep those numbers at or above 60 percent in states like Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and now even Florida good to excellent,” reported Rippey.

“On the flip side we still have some big issues with very poor rangeland and pasture conditions in parts of the western and central United States led this week by Colorado coming in statewide 77 percent very poor to poor. Those issues extend to the northwest, Oregon leads the northwest at 42 percent very poor to poor,” said Rippey.