Drought, Fire Stresses US Cow Herd

[denisegutzmer@mindly.social]

Drought, Fire Stresses US Cow Herd

Drought affects much of the major cow-calf producing area in the U.S. Pasture and range conditions were less than ideal in many beef cow states, including Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Kansas and Montana. As May begins, pasture and hay production will determine cattle production potential for the coming year, noted Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist Derrell Peel, making the presence of drought all the more concerning.

"It is clear that drought is a significant threat to beef cattle production and potential herd rebuilding in 2026," Peel added. "Continued or accelerated drought in 2026 could interrupt early heifer retention and further delay herd rebuilding."

#drought #cattle

https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/article/2026/05/05/record-drought-index-threatens-us