Drought plans should be updated, as weather predictions could impact forage
In parts of the High Plains region, recent developing dry conditions are starting to raise concerns that we may see reduced forage production from pasture and rangelands as we move on into the rest of the spring and summer.The www.weather. gov/gid/NebraskaPrecipitation map shows many parts of the Sandhills and Panhandle regions receiving below-average precipitation for the last 30 days. This time frame is critical for precipitation that drives cool-season forage production on rangeland and pasture.
The Climate Prediction Center recently released its longrange forecast for June, July, and August, and it is leaning toward above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation for the western two-thirds of Nebraska. (See the CPC Long Range Weather forecast for more information.) If these conditions materialize, it could further significantly reduce forage production from rangeland and pasture as well as yields from annual and perennial hay crops. Already, drought conditions are impacting eastern Colorado and the western two-thirds of Kansas.
