TO_LS150 Kearney, NE Tue May 09, 2023 USDA-NE Dept Ag Market News Wyoming (WY), Western and Central Nebraska (NE) and Western South Dakota (SD) 2023 Annual Grazing Fee Report as of May 09, 2023 Compared to last year, summer grass lease price for cow/calf pairs in Western Wyoming 5.00 higher. Eastern/Central Wyoming 5.00 to 8.00 higher. Western and Central Nebraska steady to 10.00 higher and Western South Dakota fully steady. Yearling grass rent across Western Wyoming was 1.00 to 2.00 higher. Eastern/Central WY steady to 6.00 higher. Nebraska 2.00 to 7.00 higher and South Dakota was 2.00 higher. Most of the increase in price was on the bottom end. Increase in rates this year because landowners need “x” amount of income off the land to pay for taxes, upkeep, and other expenses. Plus, with the uptick in the cattle market some felt like they need to raise the rates. Some land leases are for several years especially on BLM ground. Most of WY is out of the drought except the far SW corner and the eastern third of the state. The whole state of NE is in a drought with most areas from severe to extreme. Dryness continues in SD from abnormally dry to moderate dryness. Many areas of NE will more than likely turn livestock out later than normal, if at all. Many cattlemen across all reporting regions are short on hay supplies and really need to turn livestock out. Some pairs may or probably will be for sale in the near future is widespread rains do not transpire in eastern WY and across NE. Several talks on stocking rates will be cut back some due to poor pasture conditions. Few talks of cattlemen summering pairs in a backgrounding lot. As drought stays in these reporting areas, concerns linger on available grass, hay and crop production, shortage of available water in dams for livestock and irrigation need. Pasture and range report from NASS week ending May 7, 2023 in Wyoming is at 47% for good to excellent with last year at 13%. Nebraska comes in at 2% for good to excellent with last year at 6%. South Dakota pasture and range are 14% good to excellent compared to 5% in 2022. Topsoil moisture in Wyoming is at 55% adequate (24% in 2022), 32% adequate in Nebraska (35% 2022), and 53% adequate in South Dakota (49% in 2022). Stock water supplies in Wyoming rated at 67% adequate (51% in 2022). Stock water supplies are no longer reported by NASS for Nebraska and South Dakota. Wyoming NRCS weekly snow report for May 1, 2023. Snowpack/snow water median is 130% with basin low of 14% and basin high of *550%. Last year state median was 96% and in 2021 was 81%. (*Basin SWE values close to dates of first measurable snowfall and melt-out, can be irregular or erratic.) Prices quoted for cow/calf pairs are per unit/per month, and for yearlings per head/per month. --Cow/Calf Pairs-- --2023-- --2022-- Western Wyoming 30.00-45.00 25.00-40.00 Mostly 35.00-40.00 Eastern and 30.00-50.00 22.00-45.00 Central Wyoming Mostly 35.00 Mostly 35.00 Western Nebraska 50.00-70.00 40.00-70.00 Mostly 60.00-70.00 Mostly 60.00-70.00 Central Nebraska 50.00-100.00 55.00-90.00 Mostly 65.00-80.00 Mostly 65.00-75.00 Instances 95.00-100.00 Some 80.00-90.00 SW/NW South Dakota 45.00-90.00 45.00-70.00 Mostly 60.00-65.00 Mostly 60.00-65.00 Instances 90.00 Instances 70.00 Along the NE boarder --Yearlings-- --2023-- --2022 - Western Wyoming 20.00-26.00 18.00-25.00 Mostly 20.00-25.00 Eastern and 25.00-36.00 19.00-36.00 Central Wyoming Mostly 27.00-33.00 Mostly 25.00-30.00 Western Nebraska 33.00-40.50 25.00-40.00 Central Nebraska 30.00-40.00 28.00-40.00 S.W. South Dakota 22.00-50.00 20.00-50.00 Mostly 25.00-30.00 Mostly 25.00-30.00 Instances 50.00 Instances 50.00 Note: Lease contracts vary widely even within specific areas. Generally, the high end of the price range requires landlords to maintain fences, check windmills/ponds/stock water, cattle, provide salt etc. While on the lower end of the price range cattle owners are responsible for these services. Most of the leases are based on a 5-month grazing season with some of the higher elevation ranges around 100-120 days grazing periods. Sheep to cattle pasture ratios are usually 6 to 1. Source: USDA-NE Dept of Ag Market News, Kearney, NE Thomas Walthers OIC 308-390-5399 Office email: Thomas.walthers@usda.gov www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/to_ls150.txt 0800c tlw