Arkansas cattlemen may need to prepare for another year of drought. The U.S. Drought Monitor map from May 15 shows nearly 25 percent of the state, all in the north and eastern part of the state, as being abnormally dry or having moderate drought.

“Over the past 12 months, every month reported warmer-than-normal temperatures except one: September 2011,” said Tom Troxel, associate head-animal science for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

"With warmer-than-normal temperatures and increased winds, the pastures seemed to have dried out faster than expected even after some good winter rainfall amounts."

According to the Climate Prediction Center, the outlook for June and July and August show Arkansas has equal chances of having above-, below- or normal precipitation. The CPC also said Arkansas has between 40 and 50 period chance of seeing above normal temperatures for the same period.

However, cattle producers can’t manage their operations solely on forecasts.

“They must manage their operations on current conditions. Currently pasture conditions are in relatively good shape, but if it fails to rain in the next week to 10 days, pastures will become drought-stressed.

"There is an old saying in Northern Arkansas that they are always two weeks from a drought. Their two weeks is just about up.”

If rainfall doesn’t arrive soon, many cattle producers will be short of forage for hay and grazing this summer.

“Cattle producers were very fortunate to have an early cutting of hay this season," said Troxel. “Now they must wait on rainfall to see when and if they will get a second cutting of hay. They should be thinking about a drought strategy just in case they don’t get early summer rains.”

Troxel recommends:

For additional management strategies for managing beef cattle through dry weather, contact your county extension agent, or visit www.uaex.edu.