Midwest Drought Worsens for Pastures

OMAHA (DTN) -- Midwestern states see deteriorating pasture conditions in need of moisture, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service report for the week ended Oct. 21.

While much of the country needs moisture, certain areas continue to see pastures move into very-poor-to-poor conditions. Nebraska moved to the negative side with 12 points fewer in the good-to-excellent category at 15%, and 13 points more in the very-poor-to-poor category at 57%.

Other nearby states are suffering as well, with Iowa having 8 points fewer seen as good to excellent at 22%, and 4 points more marked very poor to poor at 37%. Oklahoma lost 7 points from good-to-excellent pastures at 16%, and 6 points more stated very poor to poor at 51%.

Several Delta and Southeastern states need moisture. States that see a shift from good pastures to very poor include Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas.

A positive move in pasture and range conditions was seen in Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. Wyoming saw 9 points more in the good-to-excellent category at 31%, and 15 points fewer in very-poor-to-poor shape at 28%. Colorado added 10 points in good-to-excellent conditions at 40%, while gaining ground on the moisture on the other side with 14 points fewer pastures noted as very poor to poor at 23%.

New Mexico had the biggest improvement of the week in the good-to-excellent category with a 15-point improvement at 35% and 14 points less in very-poor-to-poor conditions at 36%.

Producers across the nation are anxious for moisture to help improve pastures and soil moisture going into the late fall and winter months.

National Pasture and Range Conditions (48 states)

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