Latest News From Drought

Greener Pastures Signaling U.S. Beef Supply Rebound

Drought is starting to recede in many of the top beef producing states.

Better Growing Conditions Provide Opportunity for Cattlemen

Improving forage conditions provide more options for Oklahoma cattle producers.

Rebuilding will be Challenging for Cattle Producers

A recent study indicates economic challenges will persist for cattle producers looking to expand herds.

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Drought Devastating Southeastern Colorado

Speaker at Cattle Industry Summer Conference reflects on drought in Southeastern Colorado.

Where Will Beef Cows Expand?

When are beef producers going to expand the breeding herd and in what regions of the country will that occur?

Finding Long-term Links Between Weather and Cattle Production

Decades of data kept by USDA scientists are providing valuable information about how seasonal weather patterns affect cattle production.

Kansas Farmers Adjust Practices as Ogallala Aquifer Shrinks

Irrigation transformed this region known by early explorers as the Great American Desert into an oasis of sorts. In an area of limited rainfall and surface water availability, the Ogallala allowed farmers to grow corn, which attracted cattle feedlots, then meatpacking plants, ethanol plants and dairies. Now the nation's largest freshwater aquifer is starting to run dry.

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California Drought Threatens to Dry Up Farm Wells

Farmers in pockets of California hardest hit by the drought could begin to see their wells run dry a year from now.

Drought Assistance for 2012 and Beyond

Drought assistance for livestock producers is now available for 2012 and 2013.

Rebuilding with Bluegrass Heifers

The Central Kentucky Premier Heifer Sale hopes to aid in rebuilding the national beef herd through their twice yearly female auction and private treaty sales.

Missouri Extension Guide on Forage Irrigation Systems Available

University of Missouri Extension has released a guide for farmers thinking about using a forage irrigation system.

Cattle Blocked from Water by Feds in New Mexico

County officials in New Mexico have told the U.S. Forest Service that gates need to be unlocked at a mountain riparian area that is within the Lincoln National Forest so cattle can reach the water in the drought stricken state.

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Tight Cattle Market Benefiting Louisiana Producers

Smaller beef supply could lead to more profitable years in the near future for producers who managed to hold onto cattle.

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Oklahoma State Receives USDA Grant to Tackle Cattle Climate Adaptability

Oklahoma State University has been awarded a $1 million grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to provide some of the first climate adaptation tools for beef producers in the form of water management resources.

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Stretching Your Grazing on Drought-Stressed Pastures

Feeding hay is just one strategy to consider when trying to compensate for drought-stressed pastures.

Weather Threatening Continued U.S. Beef Herd Expansion

Weather will dictate if the U.S. beef herd is rebuilt.

Producers Should Look at Tax Implications of Drought

Property damage and livestock liquidations have implications at tax time.

NMSU Extension Program Focuses on Feral Hogs, Cattle Health, Drought

New Mexico State University’s Cattleman’s Current Issues Program will give producers an opportunity to get the latest updates on these topics and more March 28.

EPA and Army Corps Proposal Expands Clean Water Act Jurisdiction

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corp of Engineers (Corps) proposed an expansion of their federal authority over “waters of the United States.”

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USDA: Dry Weather Could Knock Down Feeder Markets

Corbitt Wall gave the Weekly National Feeder Cattle Summary report for the week ending March 21.

One Nation Without Water

Drought has had a widespread impact on all areas of the beef industry. To stay in business, water is the name of the game.

Rangeland Management is Key to Surviving Drought

Improved management adapted to changing rangeland conditions will be a key to surviving three back-to-back years of drought.

Expert: Cattle Producers Have Many Options to Weigh When Considering Restocking

With the cattle market at all-time highs and drought having decimating herds across Texas, some might consider restocking, but are questioning if it’s the right time to buy.

Reuilding Drought Conditions Threaten Oklahoma Cow Herd Expansion
Reuilding Drought Conditions Threaten Oklahoma Cow Herd Expansion

Although data indicate the rebuilding of Oklahoma’s beef cow herd is happening, herd numbers are still down 10.5 percent from Jan. 1, 2011, meaning the process is only in the beginning stages.

Panhandle Ranch Management Event to Update Cattlemen

Event helps strategize for future under drought conditions.

Rains Give Hope to Drought Plagued Hawaii Ranchers

Weeks of slow, soaking rains are helping the grass grow again on the western slopes of Maui and Hawaii islands, giving cattle ranchers hope they may at last escape a punishing drought brought on by years of below-normal rainfall.

New Mexico Senators: Federal Drought Aid to be Expedited

New Mexico's two U.S. senators say ranchers will soon be able to sign up for drought disaster aid made available through the federal farm law signed last week.

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California Ranchers Missing Beef Rally in Bid to Survive Drought

Record-high U.S. beef prices offer little comfort to California ranchers.

Grazing Through the Hard Times

Managing forage and water goes a long way toward profitability.

Feds Announce $20M for California Farmers

Federal officials have announced $20 million in aid for California farmers affected by the ongoing drought.

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2014 Cattle Inventory Lower Than Expected

Industry analysts expected cattle herds to decline by about 1.5%, but USDA’s total came in about 250,000 head lower than pre-report estimates--a 2% decline.

Farm Bill Helps Ranchers

The Farm Bill moving through Congress includes disaster assistance for ranchers and millions of dollars in federal payments for counties with federal lands.

California Drought has Ranchers Selling Cattle

Because of historically dry conditions in California have forced ranchers to already sell off parts of their herds as normally green grazing pastures have turned brown.

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California Ranchers Anticipate Devastating Drought Impacts, Study Finds

As California braces for record drought, ranchers are among the most immediately impacted, and most say they are not ready for the severe water shortages and lack of forage that drought would bring, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Davis.

Drought Prompts Natural Disaster Declaration in Nevada

Federal officials have designated portions of 11 western and central states as primary natural disaster areas because of a drought.

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California Drought Brings Statewide Agricultural Impact

Lack of precipitation so far this season has California farmers and ranchers bracing for a third consecutive dry year that they say could have wide-reaching impact on the state's agricultural landscape.

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Cattle Producers Should Watch Drought Cycle Before Buying Replacement Cattle

Even though parts of Texas and across the nation have received beneficial rainfall, experts urge cattle producers to be cautious when thinking about restocking herds.

Calculating Replacement Female Cost After the Drought

How much can I afford to pay for a bred female to restock after the drought?

Texas Ranchers Hit Hard by Drought Eye Rebuilding

After a dispiriting stretch of years, many Texas ranchers are optimistic as drought, expensive feed and other conditions that decimated their cattle herds start to loosen their grip.

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Recover From Drought

Drought can create stress for the land, cattle and people. Here’s how one western ranch coped with adversity.

Make Disaster Preparedness a Priority
Make Disaster Preparedness a Priority

Many ranches and farms spend a lot of time working on business plans, mission statements, employee training, goals, and financial management, but how many spend time discussing a disaster plan?

Recovering the Ranch After Drought

If there are any lessons that can be learned from the past few years of sparse rainfall it’s that recovering from drought requires proper management.

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Eastern Nebraska Conditions Improve; Pastures Get a Break

While the U.S. Drought Monitor still shows dry areas across the state, the soil moisture profile is well on its way to being full again.

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Farmers should avoid overgrazing, check forage inventories

Drier weather in the last month has led to slow growth of forages in parts of the Midwest, meaning livestock producers need to double check their forage supplies for the rest of the season now.

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Learning to Thrive in Drought

Even in the depths of lingering drought, cattle producers have persevered. Hard choices have been made.

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Cattle on Feed Down 6 Percent, Cow Herd Continues to Contract

Cattle on Feed placements are lower, prices steady to higher; while increases in cow slaughter means the breeding herd is still contracting.

Beef Antibiotics Standards Change at Chipotle Mexican Grill

The planned use of meat from cattle treated with antibiotics because of an illness comes as U.S. beef production is projected to plunge to a 21-year low next year.

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Beef Industry On a Slow Road to Recovery

The national beef herd has been in a downward spiral since 2007, but prospects are looking up.

Corn Prices Continues to Stem Beef Cattle Market

Even with USDA's higher forecast of 2013 beef production, lower expected corn yields and higher prices continue to stem growth in the U.S. beef herd.

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Grazing Improvement Act Passes House Natural Resources Committee

The House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources today advanced the Grazing Improvement Act to improve the livestock grazing permitting processes on managed lands.