News

Drought impact leads producers to weigh herd reductions and feed costs carefully

An extension educator says the on-going drought is forcing some cattle producers to reevaluate herd management strategies.  

Aaron Berger with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln says protecting pastures needs to be a priority, and that could mean culling cows that aren’t as productive. “The silver lining, I guess in this, even though it’s not everyone’s desire but cattle prices are good. If you do need to sell some cows that you otherwise wouldn’t, this is not a bad time to do it.”

He tells Brownfield there are other options to consider. “Anything that you can dry lot is an option. Replacement heifers or those kinds of things. They are usually the first ones to go. I think also looking at what does it cost to feed, where is feed resources and if I were to haul those cows somewhere else, what does that cost?”

Berger says economics play a large role. “Pasture in Nebraska is extremely valuable. We’re looking at $70 to $90 per pair per month for much of the state. If we look at the price of grain today and harvested hay, in eastern Nebraska you can dry lot a cow for $2 to $2.50 a day before you put in some yardage.”

He says planting an annual forage is also possibility for producers who have available crop ground to help increase feed supplies.