Recent precipitation in the Plains states has greatly improved pasture conditions and could solidify grazing plans over the next several months. Improved pasture conditions will provide forages for the low cow inventory.

As of May 5, 2015, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported exceptional drought conditions for California, parts of the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma. However, recent precipitation in much of cattle country has at least provided positive short-term impacts for forage conditions – for example, Texas has experienced slightly more rainfall than its 30-year average (Current Weather Data).

Placements of feeder cattle into feedlots of 1,000-plus head in February 2015 were lower than some analysts expected, with lower placements in most weight classes.

Drought conditions persist in the Southwestern U.S., but Southern Plains wheat pastures have received sufficient moisture to remain in relatively good shape.

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its Cattle report Jan. 30, which included a number of revisions to the Jan. 1, 2014 inventory.

Drought continues in the Southern Plains and Southwestern U.S., although its intensity has abated somewhat. The U.S. Drought Monitor at year’s end showed an improved situation for cattle country compared with the previous month.

During the course of the year, the U.S. Drought Monitor indicated drought conditions in many parts of the U.S. California, one of the most extremely impacted states, is still categorized as “D4 Exception Drought.” Portions of Texas and Oklahoma, home to approximately 17 percent of all cattle and calves in the U.S., faced difficult weather conditions in the earlier part of the year.

With rain reaching most of cattle country, drought-impacted cattle and pasture areas of the U.S. have improved substantially compared with this time last year. This year, producers face improved winter grazing conditions compared with past years. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS) Crop Progress and Condition report, soil moisture levels in North Texas, for example, indicate promising conditions for winter wheat (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service).

The abundant corn crop is exerting downward pressure on corn prices and has provided livestock feeders recent profit opportunities some have not experienced in several years. For cattle feeders, lower corn prices permit longer feeding periods.

While conditions in the Southern Plains, Southwest through California and most of the West are improved over year-earlier conditions, most of the areas remain in serious drought. Some areas have had rain over the last few weeks while other areas have deteriorated.