by Rick Machen, Ph.D.
In a ‘normal’ south Texas year, it always rains at least once during grain sorghum, corn, and/or cotton harvest.
This is obviously not a normal year. According to the July 14 US Drought Monitor, 93% of the southern Great Plains is abnormally dry or drier. Water sources, both surface and underground, are stressed. Pastures are parched and hay production is well behind schedule if happening at all. None of this is news to natural resource managers.
For beef producers, it’s a tough time. Weaning spring-born calves reduces nutrient demand for their dams and lightens the load on the forage resource. Protecting the forage and soil resources is job one for resource managers. Stewards know that standing forage is the key to protecting the soil and plant recovery when it does rain. Grazing too long and too close compromises both the soil and forages it produces. Plants offering shade for the soil preserve precious moisture and protect the underground biology that is critical for soil health.
A significantly reduced beef cow inventory suggests better days ahead for feeder cattle prices; if economically and logistically feasible, preserving the nucleus of the cow herd will contribute to long term sustainability. Fall work is coming early for many cowherds and is the time to adjust inventory. The least productive and often older cows may have to go. Replacement heifers, from those just weaned to the coming two-year-olds, warrant consideration for relocation or sale. The forage resource that remains should be devoted to the most productive cows which as typically those four to seven or eight years old.
In a conversation with a Trans-Pecos Texas rancher several years ago, I said “If it rained like it ought to, …” to which the sage old rancher replied “Young man, if it rained like it ought to, anybody could ranch out here.” Ranchers are resilient, just like the resources they are entrusted to manage.
Both will endure this hot dry spell. When your family says grace at mealtime, remember the ranchers, farmers, and a respectful request for rain.