Green Pastures

Green Pastures

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
If you're a dairy operation or you’re raising cattle, how does lush, green pastures sound? Certainly a lot better then hot, dry and brown. Well, according to USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey, your cattle may have some sweet grass on their menu.

 

“Given the extreme wetness over the last year it should be no surprise that the vast majority of the nation's pastures and rangelands are very lush and green, even as we move into mid-June.” That was USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey.

 

“As of the 16th, we are looking at a near record amount of good to excellent ratings, 71 percent nationwide. Just 6 percent of the nation's pastures and rangelands rated in very poor to poor condition. Looking at the last quarter century of data the top pasture and rangeland conditions were observed in mid-June of 1995 and that's actually the only time we've seen higher conditions. Going to the state levels we see extremely lush conditions across the intermountain west. Utah reporting an incredible 95% good to excellent on rangeland and pastures. We're also above 80 percent in Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado. And then we've seen some seasonal drying in California and California also at 20 percent very poor to poor.”

 

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