Hay bales on pasture at sunsetWhile pasture and rangeland conditions are typically poor this time of year, the current national condition rating was a bit worse than normal with 43% listing poor or very poor for the first three weeks of May. This rating is weighted by state pasture area or livestock inventory. Coming at a key time for pasture growth and due to the prolonged drought conditions, crops are in danger of not recovering for 2021. The supply and demand trickle effect could cause significant issues resulting in cattle producers reducing inventory because they cannot find or afford forage in this current climate. Get the full picture of the current pasture and range conditions.