Karina Jones is a real-life ranch wife in the Nebraska Sandhills and one of the most highly sought-after speakers in the cattle industry nationwide!
Clothes hanging out on the line! Thanks for joining me today on Ranch Raised.
A few weeks ago, I had commented to my husband that for the first time in my lifetime, I was sure that I had hung clothes out on the line to dry, every month for the last year! Now, in some parts of the world, this would not be an extraordinary feat. However, in north central Nebraska it is noteworthy. It was no surprise when the meteorological reports about our 2025/2026 winter were announced that Nebraska just came through our 3rd warmest winter on record. The two warmest winters were in 1931 and 1934, which occurred at the beginning of the Dust Bowl. For the western half of the state, this winter has been even more extreme with its warmest winter ever recorded.
Concerns about drought had already been weighing heavily on the minds of Nebraska ranchers, even before the wildfires broke out last week. While this warm, mild winter has made life easier on cows, the consequence is without some significant moisture, we are facing complete depletion of forages in areas not affected by the wildfires.
The cattle industry is already facing immense pressure to rebuild. But, you can’t rebuild a national herd when the heart of cattle country is in peril. Facing deeply scarred grazing lands, looming drought, and overall producer fatigue can not be remedied with any amount of money or market strength. For this one, we are gonna have to dig deep. I don’t have all the answers, but I know many are in a “one day at a time” scenario just trying to through to the next day and unfortunately we have no moisture coming, in sight.
karina@youragnetwork.com or visit facebook.com/ranchraisedwithkarinajones
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