Drought conditions remain in parts of Nebraska cattle country as recent rainfall has favored areas dominated by row crops, according to Eric Hunt, an agricultural meteorologist with the University of Nebraska.
Hunt said significant precipitation has bypassed some of the most affected areas of Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota and Colorado. The pattern has left cattle producers in portions of the central Plains with less relief for pastures and forage while heavier rain has reached other agricultural areas.
“The heaviest rainfall has generally been falling where we have a lot of row crops. That’s absolutely the case.” — Eric Hunt, University of Nebraska
Rainfall pattern favors row-crop areas
Hunt said the areas that received more rain during the previous two months are also the areas more likely to receive additional precipitation during the next three to four months. That pattern could continue to separate conditions in row-crop regions from those in cattle-producing areas that have received less moisture.
Hunt’s outlook includes average to above-average precipitation in the coming months. He also said he expects fewer warm, windy days, a pattern he associated with El Niño conditions across much of North America.
He said a favorable winter could leave pastures and forage production in better condition next spring than they were this year. The outlook is tied to the amount and location of precipitation received during the winter rather than to a uniform improvement across the central Plains.
Drought exposure extends beyond Nebraska
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor assessment cited by Brownfield says drought conditions are affecting areas that account for half of the nation’s hay inventory and 40% of cattle production. Those figures include production across the United States, while Hunt’s comments focused on drought-affected cattle regions in Nebraska and neighboring states.
- Recent heavy rainfall has generally favored row-crop regions.
- Parts of Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota and Colorado cattle country have received less significant rainfall.
- Hunt expects average to above-average precipitation over the next several months.
The conditions described by Hunt come as cattle producers assess pasture and forage availability ahead of the next grazing season. His forecast calls for the possibility of better pasture conditions next spring if winter precipitation is sufficient.
