| Surviving Drought-High Feed Costs and Low Cattle Prices |
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 Livestock: September 1996 Other Livestock Articles |
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by Clay Wright |
Question: What do I need to be doing to get through this period of drought-high feed costs and low cattle prices?
Answer: The basic management principles that enable us to survive bad times are the same as those that enable us to thrive in the good times. Things are different right now, but things are also the same.
Many of us will buy hay and feed from outside sources to winter on. Due to the drought, there is an increased risk of high nitrate hays and aflatoxin in feed grains. We need to be acutely aware of these things. On the other hand, analyzing and designing the lowest cost winter feeding program that meets our needs is something we should do every year.
Additionally, pasture conditions may require us to cull deeper into our herds than we ever have in the past. Careful thought should be given to which classes of cattle should go first in light of the current situation and our goals. A well-planned culling program should be a part of every cow/calf operation every year.
Now, it's September. Every September livestock article in this newsletter since 1983, deals with short- and intermediate-term planning and preparation. The following is a list of the subjects that have been covered in years past:
Weaning Home-Raised Calves and Receiving Purchased Stockers: Repair working and holding facilities so that the process goes smoothly. Have enough of the right kinds of vaccines, bacterins, implants, tags, antibiotics, etc., on hand. Pencil through marketing options such as selling at weaning, backgrounding, and longer-term retained ownership. Figure these options for your situation don't rely on others to answer your questions! Decide on a feeding plan and be ready with the feedstuffs when the cattle are on hand.
Cowherd Management: Appraise body condition now so that adjustments can be made before winter comes. Schedule the fall working to include pregnancy checking, immunizations, parasite control, and culling. Prepare to evaluate calf production and make necessary changes in the breeding program. Consider marketing strategies for open, non-producing, and low performance cows. Plan and acquire appropriate energy and protein supplements to utilize dry standing forage and/or hay.
It seems we view this month as a calm before the storm, an opportunity to be proactive rather than reactive, like we usually are. Although the current operating environment makes things more hectic, basic management and planning are still necessary. If you'd like an article reprint or additional information on the above subjects, let me know.