Heatwave Threatens Pasture Advancements

REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- A major heatwave across much of the country will likely influence pasture and range conditions in the coming week, taking away from the improvements seen in many areas over the past week.

Several beef cow states, including those who have been suffering for most of the year, have seen recent moisture to provide relief to pasture and range. Even Nebraska -- who has had prolonged drought and dealt with wildfires in the early spring -- has seen improvement. They have only 8% in the good-to-excellent category, but that's up 2 points from a week ago. Nebraska also saw a 7-point improvement in the very-poor-to-poor category with 66% of pasture and range rated here.

Montana and Wyoming also saw considerable improvements with 12- and 7-point increases in good to excellent over the previous week and 8- and 14-point improvements on the very-poor-to-poor category.

TEMPERATURES PROVIDE PRESSURE

DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick said the heatwave over the eastern half of the country this week will include highs in the 90s and overnight lows in the 70s and dew point temperatures in the 70s are going to make it feel miserable.

"In the areas that have enough moisture, it should be good growing weather for pasture and range, if not, the heat will dry them out a bit," he said.

Some areas across the Central Plains and southern Corn Belt got heavy rainfall last week, which triggered some improvements in the pasture and range that was in the very-poor-to-poor category. Arkansas and Kansas each saw a 2-percentage-point improvement in these conditions and Missouri saw a 3-point improvement.

Baranick said areas across the north will have less heat but increased rainfall chances. "From the Northern Plains through the Upper Midwest, we'll basically see daily chances for showers and thunderstorms," he added. "We'll have to watch out for severe weather, but this could help some really dry areas like southeastern South Dakota and northwestern Iowa."

DROUGHT AREAS CONTINUE

Severe drought areas can be seen when looking at the pasture conditions maps with states in the southwest having continued issues. Arizona has 70% of pasture and range in the very poor to poor category and Colorado has 63% here. When looking on the good-to-excellent side, Arizona only has 6% in this category and Colorado is at 8%.

Other states with some drought issues include New Mexico with 42% in very poor to poor. Texas is at 26% and Oklahoma at 33% poor to very poor.

Kansas has seen some improvement on the good-to-excellent category with now 56% of pasture and range seen here, but they still have 17% with very poor to poor conditions.

Baranick said the Central Plains will continue to suffer, especially western Nebraska and Colorado, which will get some heat and very little rainfall. "Western Kansas saw some heavy rain last week, but that might get used up rather quickly this week with the heat," he said. "The breezy conditions throughout the area will give some relief to livestock, but it may still be stressful for the animals."

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

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal

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