Is the cattle season over? How drought is impacting cattle producers

The cattle season may already be over for some areas devastated by drought. The latest USDA Crop Progress Report rated half of the country’s pasture and rangeland poor to very poor, which sets the stage for herd liquidation.

Derrell Peel, a frequent guest on the Market Day Report, says only twice have things been this bad, in May of last year and in May 2013. However, it has never been this bad this early on.

Peel expects continued culling and movement of replacement heifers into feedlots.

Related:

“We’re still struggling to recover": pasture and rangeland conditions the lowest level this century

Pasture and rangeland conditions are “very staggering” and “really sobering

Drought intensifies and is now causing health concerns for cattle