By DTN Staff

OMAHA (DTN) -- While the High Plains saw some relief from drought conditions with much-needed rains, the Southwest continues to suffer, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service report for the week ended May 19.

Areas of concern for poor pasture and range conditions include Arizona with 91% poor-to-very-poor conditions, followed by 85% of Nevada pasture and range and 48% in Nebraska. Nebraska did have a jump of 4% improvement from the previous week due to moisture in some areas, but still has areas of D3 extreme drought according to the Drought Monitor. Utah also has seen a decline in pasture conditions.

According to DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick, dry winter seasons in both the Southwest and in parts of Nebraska have led to these extreme drought conditions. Forecasts are not favorable for improvement and a tough summer is ahead for some of these areas.

Utah State University Extension suggests farmers and ranchers use drought-tolerant options for grasses, grains and legumes to have enough feed and forage for their animals. This would allow for sustainable grassland and rangeland with drier soil conditions and higher temperatures.

They suggest grasses such as Palmer's saltgrass or Indian ricegrass. Grains would include sorghum and pearl millet, and legumes such as black-eyed peas, chickpeas and yuca. When climate changes are seen, USU Extension said it's important to alter what is planted.

Much of the Midwest and the eastern half of the U.S. has seen plentiful moisture over the past several months, which leads to good pasture and range conditions.

Missouri has seen a turnaround from 2024 conditions with 86% of pastures considered in good-to-excellent condition.

Pennsylvania saw a drastic downturn in pasture quality by 10 points, but still has 81% in the good-to-excellent category.

Overall, the contiguous 48 states show 13% of pastures ranked very poor, 19% ranked poor, 28% as fair, 32% at good, and 8% rated excellent. When compared to the same time last year, it shows drought conditions continue to plague certain areas of the nation's pasture and range conditions, but with moisture in certain areas, an improvement is being seen.

Online users can click on the accompanying maps to see changes in various states.

National Pasture and Range Conditions (48 states)

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