As of the end of August, winter wheat seeding had begun in Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Consistent dryness across the western and northern High Plains throughout the summer has taken its toll on the region's pasture and range. Montana, North Dakota, and eastern Wyoming pasture and range are only rated mostly fair to poor. Elsewhere, pasture and range are rated mostly good. Dryness in Montana and Wyoming has typically limited producers to two cuttings of alfalfa.
Livestock are reportedly in mostly good to excellent condition.
Flies have been a major problem in Nebraska and pink eye has been reported in Iowa. System storage at the end of the month totaled 61.9 MAF, slightly above normal but well below the 69.1 MAF in storage at this time last year. Sufficient downstream flows have allowed for lower than normal releases, resulting in more reservoir storage. To reduce the amount of water being stored, releases will be increased. As a result, the navigation season will be extended 10 days this year.