Near Record for Worst Pasture and Rangeland Conditions

Near Record for Worst Pasture and Rangeland Conditions
I’m KayDee Gilkey with Open Range.

USDA released its final rangeland and pasture condition report for the year last week. It reveals major impacts from the drought across the country. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey shares,

Rippey: “It shows pasture and rangeland at 54 percent very poor to poor.”

If you go from season end to season end, this year’s very poor to poor pasture and rangeland condition mark would set a record with the worst conditions since 1995. But as Rippey notes

Rippey: “We did hit 59 percent very poor to poor for five weeks in August and early September of 2012 and that stands as the all time record high. So we have got a tough drought to still overcome, especially in across western and central states as we head into late 2012 and into 2013 especially when on respect to pasture and rangeland conditions.”

That nation average for very poor to poor is a bit higher than what we find in the Pacific Northwest. According to state statistics: Oregon and Idaho have the same overall numbers with both reporting 45 percent very pool to poor and 55 percent from fair to good and none reported as excellent.

Washington fared a bit better with 29 percent rangeland and pasture condition being very poor to poor and 71 percent being fair to good and none reported as excellent.