WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — Drought conditions across the western U.S. are creating challenges for cattle producers trying to maintain pastures and rebuild the nation’s herd.
Meteorologist Matt Makens says some areas are experiencing their worst drought conditions in more than a century.
“The Western U.S. is in a drought that we have not recorded in those one hundred plus years since 1895. Parts of Colorado, the Rocky Mountains, are in a drought worse today than they have been so we have a huge whole to fill as we go forward in time.”
Although El Niño could bring much-needed rain, Makens says its effects on drought conditions often take months to appear.
“If you’re in West Texas and you describe huge cracks, terrible soil moisture profiles all the way down, you’re like what I’ve been hearing for months, El Nino, where’s my water? Typically El Nino doesn’t deliver those kind of regional impacts, local impacts, until we hit maybe October, but typically November through April. So we hear the headlines first and we expect the immediate impact, but it takes the atmosphere time to respond.”
Makens says even a strong El Niño likely won’t be enough to completely erase drought conditions across the West.
Meanwhile, Louisiana ranchers are dealing with their own challenges as dry pastures and rising fuel costs put additional pressure on cattle operations.
TWILA’s Neil Melancon spoke with ranchers John Thompson and Jacob Hedrick in West Feliciana Parish about the challenges they’re facing, including limited hay supplies and concerns about the months ahead.
