The southern Plains were extremely dry before an early winter storm recently blew through the region. Though it delivered much-needed moisture — up to 5 inches of precipitation in parts of Oklahoma, for example — it also created some stress for beef herds that could create more problems down the road, one expert says. Ranchers should keep the closest eye on newly weaned calves and stocker cattle that may have weathered the highest precipitation levels, especially if it fell as snow or ice. But moving forward, the moisture will improve the region’s pasture and winter wheat crop. Taken together, it likely means the seasonal low in the feeder cattle market has come and gone. See more analysis here.