Nebraska ranchers suffer the consequences of drought

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Ranchers across the state fight a hard battle as the state faces a natural disaster.

As of last week, over 91% of Nebraska’s counties were under drought.

Even though this is not the first time they have faced a similar natural event, this one has brought more challenges.  

“It wasn’t that long ago that we went through the 2012 drought, and that was pretty bad,” Nebraska Cattlemen President Brenda Masek said.  “When we went through that drought, we didn’t have this inflation and the supply chain shutdown that we have now.”

Now Nebraska ranchers are making some tough choices about their herds. Without having enough to feed the cattle, liquidation is the option for many.  

Masek said beef producers and farmers are doing their best to feed the state and the nation and are hopeful that the weather will improve along the way.