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Considerations for cattle producers affected by drought

An Extension cow/calf educator has some considerations for cattle producers in drought-affected parts of the Upper Midwest.

 

Eric Mousel with the University of Minnesota says dryness is expanding beyond north-central South Dakota, and cattlemen and women in the region need to plan for the worst.

“For most guys, the big thing is not running too much weight off the cattle before they decide to do something (like) early-weaning some calves to take pressure off.  Those types of things.”

He tells Brownfield hay is in short supply, but at this point the drought is not widespread.

“If there is a bright spot, it’s that the area affected is not really large, at least yet.  So there might be some opportunities to move some cattle to where there is some feed.  Maybe early-wean those calves and either get them to the sale barn or put them on feed and hold them until after the first of the year.”

Mousel expects a glut of cattle to hit the market at the same time, and recommends producers find ways to avoid selling when prices bottom out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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