Drought Monitor map - August 5, 2025

Drought map shows more rain in the High Plains

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.)

Drought map shows signs of less stress in Plains

Lesser prairie-chickens during a lek in April on the Gardiner Angus Ranch, Ashland, Kansas. (Photo courtesy of Michael Smith.)

Good habitat takes a team on the same page

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.)

The heat was on throughout the country

Lesser prairie-chickens during a lek in late April. (Photo courtesy of Michael Smith.)

Texas court weakens federal protections for lesser prairie-chicken

USDA

Enrollment opportunities ahead for CRP

(Journal stock photo.)

Farm bill conservation programs essential to High Plains

Noble Grazing Essentials workshop attendees participate in activities, observations and instructional lectures as part of the course a year ago at Noble Research Institute in Ardmore, Oklahoma. (Staff photo by Rob Mattson/Noble Research Institute.)

Research partners to offer rancher education series