Southern Nebraska Drought Lingers

REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Cattle producers in southern Nebraska and nearby areas are experiencing extreme drought, which has led to the beginning of culling in already smaller herds. Some fear this year could be the worst drought they've seen.

Southwest Nebraska cattleman John O'Dea said 2022 set records for drought, and 2025 has started off worse. The lack of winter snow and very little rain in the first few months of the year has led to the beginning of culling cows as producers struggle to cope with reduced pasture conditions.

"The 2022 drought led to deep culling in our herd and this area," O'Dea said. "Right now, we have cows on sacrificed pastures in hopes that our summer range will get some growth, but we need rain to have that happen."

On his farm near Indianola, Nebraska, they would normally have received 8 to 9 inches of rain, but as of May 19, they have had less than 2 inches.

O'Dea said he will start culling at a rate of 2% to 3% per week for the next several weeks if the rains don't come to ease the drought conditions. This comes when his herd has not completely recovered from the drought in 2022.

DROUGHT STARTED IN THE WINTER

This drought started with a lack of snowfall over the winter months and has extended into the spring. O'Dea also said he fears the crops that normally provide feed for his cattle may not have enough yield.

"We are cutting irrigated hay 10 days earlier than usual in hopes of getting something. The dryland hay is suffering, and the irrigated hay even has drought spots," he added.

DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick said Nebraska has been in a tough spot all spring.

"A very active weather pattern has left much of the state supremely dry," he said. "That goes double for the south, as storms this week have completely missed some areas. That extends a bit into northern Kansas, but not to the same degree for the same length of time."

About 80 miles to the northeast of O'Dea, at Elm Creek, Nebraska, Kristian Rennert has also seen extremely dry conditions. They received nearly 3 inches overnight into May 19, but not at all of their pastures.

"Prior to this rain, it was pretty negative around here. I can't say it's a lot better, but now we at least have some hope for grass to grow," Rennert said.

DELAYING TURNOUT ON GRASS

Typically, cows would be turned out to grass rangeland by now, but both Rennert and O'Dea have held cows back and have been feeding stored hay.

While O'Dea does raise some of his own hay, Rennert purchases all his. They say many producers in the area have been purchasing and stockpiling hay since hay prices have been lower.

Rennert typically turns cows out on grass in May and brings them back sometime in October when he can haul them to cornstalk fields for additional fall grazing. This year, water has been an issue as well. All his pastures have wells for a water source to help when ponds dry up, which has happened in most places.

He hasn't had to sell any cows yet this spring due to the drought conditions but has been ready with a list of 25 to 30 commercial cows and older cows that could go if feed gets tight.

"I'd like to be able to wean their calves before I have to make culling decisions on my herd," Rennert said. "I hope this rain will prevent early selling. And if we can catch some more timely moisture, the list will have a lot fewer on it."

O'Dea said they will need 4 to 5 inches of rain in the next 60 days to help the corn get big enough to chop for silage. More will be needed sooner to help the corn get going, as some fields haven't even emerged yet.

Baranick said the forecast for the region doesn't look great, with the best chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms the next couple days. But that is expected to miss large portions of southern Nebraska and northern Kansas.

"The extended forecast through the summer continues to call for hotter and drier conditions, not exactly a good thing for the region. It's looking to be another very tough year," Baranick added.

"I've been farming since 1994," O'Dea said. "Since 1999, we have seen more drought years than not. 2022 was definitely the worst. We just hope 2025 doesn't outdo it."

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal

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