Pasture land conditions decline across the U.S.
The trend is led mostly by the southwest United States, which is home to a lot of wide open country. However, the northern and eastern areas are relatively good.
According to USDA’s meteorologist, Brad Rippey, New Mexico is seeing the worst of it: “Just 43 percent of the nation’s pastures and range lands are in good to excellent condition. At the same time, the number for very poor to poor ratings is 25 percent... and we currently see range land and pasture conditions at their lowest level for this time of the year...since 2012.”