REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Rain throughout the Plains was reflected with improved pasture and range conditions in some of the worst drought-stricken states.

Nebraska remains in dire need of more rain as the majority of the state is in D3 Extreme Drought or D4 Exceptional Drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor map.

Nebraska has 79% of its pasture and range rated in very poor-to-poor condition, which is a 4-percentage-point improvement over last week. The state also saw a 2-percentage-point increase in good-to-excellent-rated pasture and range, but only 6% of the state fell into that category, and it is the lowest percentage in the country.

Colorado and Wyoming both saw 15-point improvements in their very-poor-to-poor pasture and range ratings, but they remain at 51% and 50%, respectively, in this category. Colorado pasture and range only saw a 2-percentage-point increase in good to excellent and sat at 12% in that category. Wyoming saw a 9-point improvement with 26% of pasture and range in the good-to-excellent category.

DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick said periods of showers were seen in some areas of the Plains during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, but most were isolated.

"Temperatures continue to warm up throughout this week, and showers will likely increase across the west but will have a tough time reaching the eastern Dakotas," he said. "A lack of rainfall may increase drought for some drier areas in the east, while western areas have chances for drought improvement."

Baranick said the Midwest should be largely dry this week, giving those with hay to bale a chance to get the work done and those with fieldwork to finish a chance to do so.

Midwestern states, including Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana and on into the Ohio Valley, continue to have better pasture and range conditions. Iowa saw a 2-percentage-point improvement to reach 75% in the good-to-excellent category. Missouri pastures saw a 2-point decline in the good-to-excellent rating but remain at 74% in this category. Neither Iowa nor Missouri had a change on the very-poor-to-poor side, with both remaining at 3% in this category.

Other areas of concern on the drought monitor show more pasture and range conditions on the very-poor-to-poor maps. New Mexico is at 62% very poor to poor, Arizona is at 64% and Montana is at 62%.

The largest beef-cow states of Texas and Oklahoma have seen slow improvement of pasture and range conditions, with fewer areas rated very poor to poor and more being good to excellent.

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal

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