REGION REPORTS
REGION l
By Frank Stoltzfus Way back in 2020 when my youngest daughter was married, I had an interesting conversation with my then new son-in-law. He did not grow up in a farm family. He asked,“ Why, whenever your family gets together, do you always talk about the weather first? You would think that is the most important thing in the world.” Well, it might not be the most important thing in the world but for farm and ranch families it determines how we plan our day, our week or even our year.
Our assignment this quarter is to give a report on the“ weather conditions” of our region. Region I, the Northeasten section of the U. S., is so varied both in topography and weather. Our states in the South, Kentucky, Virginia and parts of West Virginia, have seen hurricanes and tornadoes leaving many areas devastated and looking at a long road to recovery. I am sure they are very grateful for the help they have received but are still in a state of disaster. The central part of the region, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania, for the most part have experienced a colderthan-normal winter without much snow. Spring has brought some appreciated moisture. The North, including New York and Michigan, have seen their usual share of lake effect snow and seem to have adequate moisture.
As I look across the landscape here in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, everything is green and growing. Some cattle have begun rotational grazing, and cattlemen are feeling good about this spring.
One thing I believe to be true about the weather, if you think we have political conflict in the world today, what would it be like if someone could control the weather. Hopefully you are experiencing a great spring.
REGION ll
By Joe Hancock
Since one can’ t fight nature, we learn to accept and adapt. Except for our friends in the Florida Panhandle who are experiencing drought conditions, most areas in the Southeast experienced a comfortable spring with on-target rainfall resulting in excellent forage conditions, and hay production is in full swing. Suitable weather conditions, superimposed by strong cattle prices, provide producers with economic incentives and an optimistic outlook allowing herd and terminal product improvement.
On another positive note, Mississippi joins Florida and Alabama to become the third state to ban the production or sale of any lab-grown protein product in the state. We are fortunate to have a legislative body who recognizes the importance of our industry.
Specifically in Alabama, the spring months have been cool and comfortable. The temperature mixed with some timely rains in much of the state and allowed winter grazing to be plentiful. Many producers rely heavily on winter grazing leading into spring marketing of calves. As we look ahead to the summer, Alabama received beneficial rain as of late and is expecting the first good warm up for the year. Summer grasses are coming in and the first cuttings of hay are underway. If the rain continues, most producers are optimistic given strong calf prices this year. As always, we are weary of summer drought and the potential for hurricanes as we enter the fall months.
REGION lll
By Charlie Besher
Spring has sprung; we are eating scalded lettuce and the cows are eating green grass for the most part. In most parts of our region, excitement is high with the current market we are experiencing although this spring has not been without its challenges.
Some areas have been hit with weekly tornadoes and torrential rains, then other parts of the region are praying for rain. Some folks in the region were very concerned early in spring about the amount of rain they were getting, while other areas are in some phase of drought. April showers showed up for most, but some had concerns if rain would ever come.
Winter held on a little longer this year for our neighbors to the north, but they are experiencing a nice spring now with some much-needed moisture. As I write this and look at the drought monitor map for our region, each state is in some phase of a drought in isolated areas and the hope is that it does not increase. As cattle producers, we are faced with many different challenges each year and we deal with them as they present themselves. That is our way of life, any of these erratic weather patterns are no different.
REGION lV
By Scott Anderson So far this year, 2025 has been a story of extremes in Region IV. At the beginning of the year, about 60 % of Texas and large areas of central Oklahoma and central Arkansas were all designated to be in some degree of drought. Across February and March, drought areas expanded north to include all of west Texas, the Panhandles of both Texas and Oklahoma, as well as the western half of Oklahoma. April brought change— and in some areas, extreme change.
On April 5, this extreme change resulted in a Federal Emergency Declaration for flooding in Arkansas. The eastern two-thirds of Oklahoma experienced the wettest April on record. During this same time, rain came across north Texas and up into the central Texas Panhandle. These rains were very timely for the Panhandle areas involved in the wildfires a year ago. While the ranges there are still recuperating, ranchers are hopeful these recent rains have primed the pump for more supportive rains going into the summer.
However, at the other end of the spectrum, a large swath from El Paso to San Antonio to Laredo continues suffering under severe to exceptional drought. Unfortunately, long-range forecasts imply these conditions are likely to continue. These extremes are not new to cattle producers. As stewards of the land, decisions are made with the good of the land as a priority. Whether faced with drought or flood, the resiliency of beef producers always shines through.
14 JUNE 2025 www. NCBA. org