LINCOLN, NE – Nebraska has struggled with drought, but recent rains are heralding change. A report from the UNL Drought Mitigation Center reveals that, currently, 64% of the state experienced some form of drought. This is a decline from the previous year when the state was 77% drought-stricken. The good news doesn’t end there: only 32% of the state faces severe drought now, compared to 47% in the past year.
The Panhandle counties, once suffering from the most extreme drought conditions, are now completely free from it. Central and Eastern Nebraska still bear the brunt, but even here, conditions are improving.
Using data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service crop progress reports, it’s evident that soil moisture levels have seen significant replenishment this year. Initially, 37% of the subsoil had a very short moisture rating, which now stands at 26%. Despite the improvement, it remains above the historical average. Similar trends are noted for short subsoil moisture ratings.
Pasture and rangeland health has seen significant improvement. In the past, 68% of pasture was rated as poor conditions. Today, only 15% remains in such a state, surpassing the historical end-of-July average.
With consistent monitoring and the recent rains, Nebraska’s agricultural landscape is seeing a hopeful turnaround.
