http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

v 2.4.3.0

Grass was nearly used up in parts of Owyhee County, and the hay market was tightening. A Nevada hay buyer bought an entire crop of hay, not notably high in quality, and paid about $200 per ton, but would have paid just $130 to $140 per ton a year ago. Spring and summer moisture has been too scarce to generate any feed on winter ranges for the coming winter. Meanwhile, some creeks were running dry as though it were September, requiring some to haul water. Mormon crickets were also more abundant than usual and were consuming grasses and seed heads. The Bruneau River was expected to run dry maybe a month and a half early this year. Irrigation water from the Owyhee River ended on July 20 for the Mountain City, Nevada area. A feedlot owner in the Murphy-Melba, Idaho area stated that many customers were hoping to deliver livestock a month early because they didn’t have feed for them. Typically, deliveries occur from October through December. Capital Press (Salem, Ore.), July 26, 2021