USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey shared current ratings for pasture and range land conditions, which he says are still improving—at least for now.
“Fourty-five percent of the nation’s range land and pastures rated good to excellent, up two points from the previous week, and just 20% very poor to poor,” Rippey says. “That’s down two points from last week’s 22%.”
Rippey says, it is an overall improvement, but not for all producers.
“The short term dryness is really taking a toll on grass growth in states like Missouri and Michigan—47% very poor to poor in Missouri; Michigan, coming in at 39%, very poor to poor.” Rippey says.
Rippey expects next week’s report to end the improvement streak, since there is no rain in the forecast.