Rippey: Current pasture, range land ratings show improvements—for now

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.

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