Rain brings green foliage, farmers say more rain is needed

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Weather patterns these past mates of years person been little than consistent, from utmost drought to excessive amounts of h2o to a play with continuing atmospheric disturbances.

Even with this past circular of storms, rainfall totals are inactive beneath mean this season, and farmers accidental vegetation maturation is besides behind.

"If we proceed getting these storms, abundant rainfall storms, past we tin extremity up having a beauteous bully year," said Billy Freeman, Rangeland Manager with Sierra Foothill Conservancy.

Local farmers and onshore managers who beryllium connected vegetation to provender cattle accidental this twelvemonth is disconnected to a dilatory start, but it has been amended than years past erstwhile the Central Valley saw utmost drought.

"The past period oregon truthful has been perfect with a batch of rainfall, warmer temperatures, implicit 40 degrees astatine night, supra 60 during the day, those are perfect increasing temperatures," explained Freeman.

For consumers, the magnitude of rain, vegetation, and provender each person a trickle-down effect erstwhile it comes to nutrient and meat.

"America has its smallest cattle herd successful 70 years, and that's corresponding to drought not conscionable present successful California successful the past respective years but passim the occidental United States," said Ryan Jacobsen, CEO of Fresno County Farm Bureau.

Between 2020 and 2022, the Central Valley saw the driest years connected record, which took a immense toll connected the rangeland that typically feeds livestock.

"Definitely led to cattle being sold disconnected simply due to the fact that of that deficiency of feedstuff present successful California," added Jacobsen.

2023 saw drastic amounts of rain.

As for rainfall totals this season, ag experts are hoping the greenish foliage volition past good into April, helping with cattle but not needfully prices.

"Domestic cattle herd is down, and truthful the prices for cattle stay precise precocious close now, which has provided immoderate alleviation for producers. The beef prices successful the stores person besides gone up successful effect to that," said Freeman.

Although cattle and nutrient prices are expected to proceed to rise, farmers accidental it truly doesn't bespeak the conflict they person faced successful the past decade.

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