The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. (Map courtesy of NDMC.)

Heavy rains, snow strike the West

Cold weather and moisture defined January

The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. (Map courtesy of NDMC.)

Drier week but cold weather lingered longer

One of the goat classes at Oklahoma Panhandle State University's recent Panhandle Showdown. (Journal photo by Jennifer Theurer.)

4-H animal care in cold weather

The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. (Map courtesy of NDMC.)

Storms, cold temps blanket the High Plains

Sheep demonstration in 2023 at the University of Missouri Southwest Research, Extension and Education Center, Mount Vernon. (Photo by David Brown.)

Protecting sheep in winter weather

A bull takes in the western Nebraska snowy landscape. (Photo by Hannah Smith.)

Winter weather challenges for bulls can affect breeding season

Crews work to clear the snow from Highway 4 west of Bruning, Nebraska. (Photo courtesy of Nebraska Department of Agriculture.)

Gov. Pillen issues state of emergency declaration in wake of severe weather