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Rainfall brings drought improvement for Kansas livestock producers

The president of the Kansas Livestock Association says abundant rainfall has brought some drought improvement to Kansas producers.

Philip Weltmer tells Brownfield…

“Parts of western Kansas, their average rainfall is 12 to 14 inches for the whole year, and they’ve had it in a month. “They haven’t really had a wheat crop to even think about running calves out on wheat pasture in years.”

As ponds have filled back up, Weltmer says there is some renewed optimism. 

“I think if we can get that build up here with the moisture it’s going to allow that grass to come up green and healthy and strong come spring. I think there’s just some opportunities for us to really have a good spring,” he says.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, much of southwestern Kansas is drought free to abnormally dry.

Brownfield interviewed Weltmer at the 2024 Kansas Livestock Association convention in Manhattan, Kansas.  

AUDIO: Philip Weltmer, Kansas Livestock Association