NASS Data Shows Improvements in Pastures
Rainfall Brings Relief to Drought-Stricken Pastures as Nebraska Shows Significant Recovery
OMAHA (DTN) -- Rainfall in areas where it was needed led to improved pasture and range conditions in these Midwestern and Plains states.
Nebraska has suffered from drought conditions for most of the past year and rainfall in the state led to a 13-point increase to 46% in the good-to-excellent category. Nebraska also saw a 4-point decrease in the very-poor-to-poor category, with pasture and range in this category now at 22%.
Other states seeing an increase in the good-to-excellent category were Colorado, Wyoming, and Illinois with 14-, 15-, and 9-point increase marking them at 64%, 36% and 76%, respectively.
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Some of these states also saw a decrease in the very-poor-to-poor category with Colorado having a 10-point decrease now at 11% and Wyoming having an 11-point decrease to 32%.
Nevada, Arizona and Montana continue to have the most pastures in the very-poor-to-poor category with 90%, 82% and 56% of pasture and range in this area.
Most of the Midwest continues to see pastures in the good-to-excellent category with Missouri at 88%, Iowa at 82%, Illinois at 76%, Minnesota at 70% and Wisconsin at 79%.
DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick said showers are expected through the Midwest over the next few days with a drop in temperatures as well. The Plains are expected to see moisture to help pasture and range conditions. "A front will slowly drop through the Central and Southern Plains this week, with showers waning as it gets into the Southern Plains," Baranick said.
The Northern Plains have had scattered showers and thunderstorms over the past week and are expected to have more in the upcoming days. Baranick said some areas of heavy rain and severe weather could affect crops in these states.
See the accompanying maps for more on the changes in various states.
National Pasture and Range Conditions (48 states)
| Very poor | Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent | |
| 48 States | 9 | 17 | 29 | 34 | 11 |
| Previous week | 11 | 17 | 29 | 32 | 11 |
| Previous year | 12 | 17 | 32 | 32 | 7 |
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