With cattle out on pasture, producers are monitoring grazing conditions and forage availability. Washburn, North Dakota rancher Paul Bichler says the area didn’t receive significant moisture until the beginning of June. Most native grasses were brown until lately, delaying pasture turnout. “The tame grass was coming anywhere that held a little snow this winter, but the native grass took a while. Now we’re evened out a little more, which is refreshing.” Most area cattle producers were able to feed through the winter. However, Bichler says hay supplies are completely diminished. “With dry conditions and a late spring, feeding got extended.”
