• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

To Honor and Protect the Ranching Way of Life

  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Why Join
    • Leadership
    • Staff
    • Partners
    • FAQs
    • Newsroom
    • Sponsorships
    • Employment
  • What We Do
    • Theft and Law
    • Issues and Policy
    • Education
    • Students and Young Professionals
    • The Cattleman Magazine
    • Disaster Relief Fund
    • Cattle Raisers Insurance
    • Cattle Raisers Trading Co
  • Events
    • Cattle Raisers Convention
    • Policy Conference
    • Summer Meeting
    • Ranch Gatherings
    • Ranching 101
  • Join
  • Member Center
  • TSCRA Store
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Livestock Weather Forecast, July 7, 2017: Northern Plains drought likely to expand


SPONSORED CONTENT: Livestock Wx, a provider of weather information for stock producers, discusses expected drought expansion and intensification over the Northern Plains and modest improvement over eastern Oklahoma along with how the next two weeks are shaping up across the country and here in the Southwest.
Current Conditions Around Texas and the Southwest
Over the past week good rainfall was observed across portions of central and southeastern Oklahoma, parts of North Texas, and over into the area around Lubbock and the Rolling Plains. The accumulated rainfall map shows some of these areas received at least 8 inches since July 1. This has likely resulted in good soil moisture replenishment in these areas. Temperatures have also been reasonable in these areas with below normal to average temperatures for the same time period.
It wasn’t all good news, however, as hot and dry conditions caused areas of Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1) to expand in the Hill Country, eastern portions of the Rolling Plains, and South Texas. In the Rolling Plains, below normal rainfall and dry soils led to the introduction of Severe Drought (D2) for Wheeler and Collingsworth counties.

Upcoming Week
Most of Texas and the Southwest will remain relatively dry over the next week, however, temperatures should be in the normal range for this time of the year. The 7-day temperature forecast map shows expected temperatures below or above average (i.e. temperature anomalies) over the coming week. For the most part things are looking better for the region and much better than what the Northern Plains is expecting.

Northern Plains Drought Likely to Expand and Intensify
A combination of unusually high temperatures and below-normal rainfall are likely to increase drought impacts for parts of the Northern Plains over the next 15 days. An upper ridge of high pressure is responsible for the heat wave and is shown below on the latest version of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The current dome of upper high pressure (in red) will not move much through the middle of the month and will likely expand (brown) further into the Northern Plains. As the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates, they are currently experiencing significant drought. As temperatures build the drought will likely intensify and we could see a corresponding increase in drought related impacts heading into mid July.
Last week USDA announced it was opening up more hay and pasture through the Conservation Reserve Program for livestock producers in the Dakotas, eastern Montana and parts of Wyoming. Cattle inventory designated in drought for these states is about the same from last week (SD: 44 percent, ND: 81 percent, MT: 51 percent) as is the percentage alfalfa hay (SD: 54 percent, ND: 86 percent, MT: 46 percent). These percentages will likely increase or move into higher drought categories over the next couple of weeks.

For information about weather conditions in your area and the potential impacts to livestock, please contact Livestock Wx at: [email protected]

Written by:
kristin
Published on:
July 7, 2017

Categories: General

Recent Posts

TSCRA supports Farm Security is National Security plan

July 9, 2025

AUSTIN, Texas (July 8, 2025) — Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association President Carl …

Continue Reading about TSCRA supports Farm Security is National Security plan

Crime watch: Shetland Pony missing in Tarrant County

July 8, 2025

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Robert Pemberton, District 10, …

Continue Reading about Crime watch: Shetland Pony missing in Tarrant County

TSCRA Talk Episode 66 – 89th Texas Legislative Recap  

July 8, 2025

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association President Carl Ray Polk joins TSCRA Talk host, …

Continue Reading about TSCRA Talk Episode 66 – 89th Texas Legislative Recap  

Footer

Who We Are

Why Join
Leadership
Staff
Partners
FAQs
Newsroom
Sponsorships
Employment

What We Do

Theft and Law
Issues and Policy
Education
Students and Young Professionals
The Cattleman Magazine
Cattle Raisers Insurance
Cattle Raisers Trading Co.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Information

Cattle Raisers Blog
News Releases
Bereavements
Events
Sponsorships & Advertisement
Tip Hotline
Get Involved
Links

Membership

Membership Center
Membership Center Instructions
Join
Renew
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

PO BOX 101988
FORT WORTH, TX 76185

1-800-242-7820

© 2023 Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; All Rights Reserved.

COPYRIGHT | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE