"Wildfires burn nearly 775,000 acres in Nebraska. Land is a grazing resource for about 40,000 cows."

"CHICAGO, March 19 - Massive wildfires have burned vast swaths of grazing lands in Nebraska, endangering cattle producers' plans for production increases that could help ease record-high U.S. ​beef prices.

The loss of grasslands in the second-biggest cattle-producing state removes a feed source for herds and could delay ranchers ‌from expanding as they struggle with widespread drought, state and industry officials said.

Fueled by fierce winds, fires have burned nearly 775,000 acres since last week, covering an area about the size of Rhode Island, according to data from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. It added the causes of the fires are undetermined.
The largest Morrill Fire was ​about 67% contained as of Thursday after being first reported on March 12, the agency said."

Tom Polansek reports for Reuters March 19, 2026. [2]