TO_LS150 Kearney, NE Fri May 06, 2022 USDA-NE Dept Ag Market News Wyoming, Western and Central Nebraska and Western South Dakota 2022 Annual Grazing Fee Report as of May 06, 2022 Compared to last year, summer grass lease price for cow/calf pairs in Western Wyoming 5.00 to 10.00 higher. Eastern/Central Wyoming steady to 5.00 higher. Western and Central Nebraska steady to 10.00 higher and Western South Dakota steady to 5.00 higher. Yearling grass rent across Wyoming was 1.00 to 3.00 higher. All other reporting area are fully steady on summer grass for yearlings. Increase in rates this year mostly because landowners need “x” amount of income off the land to pay for taxes, upkeep, and other expenses. Since, most private landowners have cut stocking rates again this year, the price per unit has gone up to cover the outgoing expenses. Been also noted that some Forest and BLM pasture ground has cut back on stocking rates. With lower stocking rates for pairs on the horizon especially in Nebraska some ranchers/farmers have thought about dry lotting pairs for the summer. With roughages in short supply some of these dry lot rations figure out the same or a tick higher than the cash grass rent. 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 needs. There has been some sporadic rain and snow showers this spring across some of these regions. Hopefully, enough moisture to help the grass green up and grow. All areas will need a lot more moisture to get through the summer grazing and hay season! Pasture and range report from NASS week ending May 1, 2022 in Wyoming is at 13% for good to excellent with last year at 18%. Nebraska comes in at 6% for good to excellent with last year at 41%. South Dakota pasture and range are 5% good to excellent compared to 17% in 2021. Topsoil moisture in Wyoming is at 24% adequate (47% in 2021), 35% adequate in Nebraska (68% 2021), and 49% adequate in South Dakota (33% in 2021). Stock water supplies in Wyoming rated at 51% adequate (66% in 2021). Stock water supplies are no longer reported by NASS for Nebraska and South Dakota. Wyoming NRCS weekly snow report for May 3, 2022. Snowpack/snow water equivalents is 100% of median with basin low of 70% and basin high of 126%. Last year state median was 86% and in 2020 was 88%. Prices quoted for cow/calf pairs are per unit/per month, and for yearlings per head/per month. --Cow/Calf Pairs-- --2022-- --2021-- Western Wyoming 25.00-40.00 18.00-40.00 Mostly 35.00-40.00 Mostly 25.00-35.00 Instances 40.00 Eastern and 22.00-45.00, 22.00-45.00, Central Wyoming Mostly 35.00 Mostly 30.00-35.00 Western Nebraska 40.00-70.00 40.00-70.00 Mostly 60.00-70.00 Mostly 45.00-55.00 Instances 65.00-70.00 Central Nebraska 55.00-90.00 50.00-80.00 Mostly 65.00-75.00 Mostly 60.00-70.00 Some 80.00-90.00 Some 75.00-80.00 SW/NW South Dakota 45.00-70.00 40.00-65.00, Mostly 60.00-65.00 Mostly 50.00 Instances 70.00 Instances 60.00-65.00 --Yearlings-- --2022-- --2021 - Western Wyoming 18.00-25.00 15.00-24.00 Mostly 20.00-25.00 Mostly 20.00-22.00 Eastern and 19.00-36.00, 16.00-30.00 Central Wyoming Mostly 25.00-30.00 Mostly 22.00-25.00 Few, 1.10-1.20 per day Few. .80-.85 per day Western Nebraska 25.00-40.00 25.00-40.00 Central Nebraska 28.00-40.00 27.00-40.00 S.W. South Dakota 20.00-50.00 20.00-45.00 Mostly 25.00-30.00 Mostly 30.00 Instance 50.00 Few 45.00 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