News

Drought impacting nearly three-quarters of U.S. cattle herd

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly three-quarters of the U.S. cattle herd is being impacted by significant drought conditions.

Craig Uden, president of the Nebraska Cattlemen, says the lack of moisture is putting significant pressure on producers in his state. “We might have 1,000,000 cows that would be challenged as far as how they’re going to have to be managed this year versus a normal year.”

According to the National Drought Mitigation Center 72 percent is affected by drought including 48 percent in severe drought.

Uden tells Brownfield worsening drought conditions will likely keep forage supplies tight throughout the summer. “Part of the reason they are snug is because it’s an extreme drought. If you go even further west than Nebraska, and look at Colorado, Wyoming, southern Montana and western Kansas, everybody is in need right now.”

He says the timing of an expected La Nina weather pattern will play a big role going into the winter. “If it starts a little bit later, then we may not see rain until July or August. If that’s the case, we lose out on a lot of our feedstock and the opportunity to grow that. Then we run into the next challenge which could be a wetter, tougher winter with a poor hay crop that we grew this year.

Uden says producers should be in contact with their local FSA office to enroll in drought-related disaster programs for feed and transportation assistance.