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Posted 17 July 2006. Forage and Grazinglands. Livestock Management Essential in Drought Conditions Oklahoma State University. www2.dasnr.okstate.edu Stillwater, Oklahoma (June 21, 2006) - The hot and dry weather has left many cattle producers high and dry in terms of forage for their livestock and also left them wondering how to cope with these conditions.
“With many parts of the Southwest and Midwest United States in a very serious drought, certain standing forage and hay supplies are quickly diminishing,” said Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service animal reproduction specialist. “Producers are looking for sources of information to manage their strategies to get them through this current drought situation.” Selk is suggesting two documents found at cowcalfcorner.okstate.edu that will help guide producers with management strategies. The first document found under the link “Drought Management for Cows” will highlight culling strategies for the herd and alternative ways to feed cows when forage supplies are very short. “These things require a lot of management and a person would want to read this very carefully and perhaps seek some help from a professional nutritionist in order to get cows through the current situation,” Selk said. The other document, OSU Extension fact sheet 3264 “Early Weaning for the Beef Herd,” reviews research on very early weaning of beef calves at approximately 2 months of age. This is so the cow herd has a chance to recycle and rebreed on time for next year’s calf crop. Selk said although early weaning is certainly not advocated for all producers all the time, it can provide a smart option in certain conditions such as drought. Contacts: Katie L. Reim |
