Tue, 01 Nov 2022 09:35:44 CDT
The last Crop Progress report in October each fall gives us a look at the USDA Pasture-Range ratings as we head into the winter season- and 2022 shows us a picture of dire conditions in Oklahoma pasture range ratings that we have not seen since the drought of 2011 and 2012.
The low water mark in that time frame came at the end of October 2011 when the last report of the season showed Oklahoma pasture/range ratings were 2% good and 86% poor to very poor. 2012 showed a 6% good and 70% poor to very poor.
Here in 2022- we were at 2% good a week ago- but the rains of this past week did give us a nudge higher to 4% good this week- even as the poor to very poor ratings slipped another 3 points and stand now at 80% poor to very poor. (this hay field pic of last week shows a few traces of green grass but little time to grow and recover before cold weather- it was seen south of Chickasha along the turnpike)
Nationally- the Oklahoma rating of 80% poor to very poor is the second worse in the US- Nebraska has an 82% poor to very poor rating- while Kansas and Arkansas are right there with ratings of 79% poor to very poor.
A wet late fall and winter will help our pastures and rangelands recover- but there’s no assurances of that out on the horizon. Like 2011 and 2012- drought may impact pastures and rangelands for quite some time.
Looking back at the last pasture/range report of the season- here are the last ten years for Oklahoma and the good to excellent ratings provided by USDA:
Year Good to Excellent Rating
2022 4%
2021 39%
2020 24%
2019 56%
2018 61%
2017 46%
2016 46%
2015 40%
2014 42%
2013 42%
2012 6% (70% Poor to very poor)
2011 2% (86% poor to very poor)
2010 32%
Click here for the October 31st Crop Progress report from USDA.
