How bad are the country's pastures at the start of this year, compared to previous years? (Stephanie Ho and USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey)

The western half of the country has the nation's worst pasture conditions. (Stephanie Ho and USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey)

USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey, says there are many states where pasture conditions are notably very poor to poor, at the start of the growing season.

In USDA's first look at pasture and rangeland conditions for this year, meteorologist, Brad Rippey, points to some of the places where conditions are still relatively good.

National topsoil moisture numbers show that drought remains in much of the west. (Stephanie Ho and USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey)