Drought is Pushing Cattle Out of Pastures and Into Feed Yards Earlier Than Normal

By Jackie Ourada

Nebraska’s ongoing drought could change feeding plans for some farmers and ranchers this year.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Nebraska saw more cattle on feed last month compared to May 2024. The state saw a 2% increase in cattle in feedlots, while the U.S. saw an overall 2% decrease.

Several beef industry experts speculate the small bump could be due to several reasons, such as new Nebraska cattle feeding facilities coming online and some farmers choosing to keep their cattle on feed for longer. But drought is probably the leading reason as to why more cattle were at Nebraska’s feed yards last month.

University of Nebraska extension educator and BeefWatch podcast host Aaron Berger said several ranchers he works with chose to send their cattle to feedlots earlier this year because of drought’s continuing grip on parts of Nebraska’s cattle-grazing areas. Berger said some ranchers are choosing this year to send their youngest cattle straight to feedlots instead of grazing them in pastureland during the spring and summer, which ranchers typically prefer.