As Drought Deepens, Livestock Producers Face Challenging Decision

LUBBOCK, TX – According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, 75 percent of Texas is now enduring drought conditions, up from just over half the state seven days ago. Abnormal dryness expanded in parts of all of the states in the South region while moderate to exceptional drought expanded across Texas; moderate drought was introduced in Arkansas and Mississippi and expanded in Louisiana, and moderate and severe drought expanded in Oklahoma. The current drought conditions and forecast for a drier-than-normal winter has cattle producers across the Southern High Plains and Southwest facing the decision to preserve herds with supplemental feeding or culling to stretch limited forage resources for quality cows and calves. Dr. Jason Banta is a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in East Texas explains that the decision to make above-normal herd reductions is made less palatable by lower cattle prices. “It’s hard to feed your way out of most droughts in general, and this year is no different especially at current calf prices. Cattle prices will likely increase a little moving forward, but producers need to ask themselves if it will be enough to make up for the additional costs of feeding them until spring green-up” Banta warns. Historically, he adds, the spring price increase does not justify the expense associated with hay bales and other nutritional supplements needed to maintain body condition. Much of Central and East Texas produced decent amounts of hay this season and current prices are in the range of $50 to $65 per bale.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)