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Waiting for rain: Nebraska rancher says next 30 days critical for the drought
The drought in the Western Plains has intensified and a rancher in the Nebraska Sandhills says he’s been waiting four months for relief.
Frank Beel operates a cow/calf herd and a small feedlot in the north-central part of the state between Ainsworth and Valentine near Highway 20. “Our last rainfall was October 27th. We did get about 4-6 inches of snow at the first part of December but that’s about it.”
The U.S. Drought Monitor showed dryness worsened in parts of Illinois and extreme drought expanded in Nebraska and Kansas.
He tells Brownfield the dryness is affecting his cattle. “We’re mainly seeing respiratory problems. Dust on the meadows where we’re feeding calves and such. There’s even dust on the meadows.”
Beel says the next 30 days are critical for hay production and feed supplies. “We’re coming up with our wettest months with April, May and June. That’s going to tell the story if we can get by.”
Beel says hay supplies and herd liquidation are not a concern yet.
The Monitor, updated on Thursday, showed slight improvements in overall area with 48.6 percent of the country in a classification of drought. There were improvements in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan.
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