Saturday, August 13, 2011
(photo: myweathertech.com)
Drought conditions have devastated nearly all of the range and pasture land in Oklahoma and Texas, forcing ranchers to buy feed to maintain their herds or else face the prospect of “liquidating” them.
At least nine states have lost the use of 50% or more of their lands for grazing, due to lack of rainfall. In some states virtually all of the land is rated poor to very poor: Texas (94%), Oklahoma (93%) and New Mexico (87%).
Other states also have lost considerable portions of their pasture land. These include Arkansas (80%), Pennsylvania (61%), Maryland (53%) and South Carolina (50%).
Georgia (66%) and Louisiana (57%) are also experiencing drought conditions that are classified as “extreme” or “exceptional.”
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Most Pastures Are in Extreme Ratings (American Agriculturist)
U.S. Drought Monitor (National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
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