Pribbeno said the drought not only harms cattle, but can worsen the quality of their fields.
“It takes ungrazed pastures,” Pribbeno said. “It moves them backwards.”
Erin Laborie, a beef systems extension agent in southwest Nebraska, advises ranchers on what to do in these harsh conditions. She said the state’s parched pastures have produced a fraction of the grass cattle normally eat.
With less pasture for feed, Pribbeno and many other ranchers have auctioned some of their herds. They’ve decided to wean calves early this year, relying on more hay and other feed for their cattle.
Like Pribbeno, Steve Hanson, the president-elect of the Nebraska Cattlemen, has culled his herd in far western Perkins County. The dryland corn he normally grows isn’t harvestable this year, Hanson said, describing it as “4-foot tall, no tassels, no ears.” Still, Hanson remains optimistic.
“We’re hoping to catch snow with it this winter,” he said. “You know farmers, we’re eternal optimists.”
Rather than feeding his cattle, Hanson said he’s planning on selling them to auction.
“For me that’s historic. It reflects on the severity of the drought,” he said.
Agriculture experts say the drought will mean smaller Nebraska corn and soybean harvests this year. Many ranchers have also been forced to cut the size of their cattle and calving operations. But, the silver lining for the farmers may be commodity prices. Corn, soybean, live and feeder cattle prices have been increasing by double-digits or more, but expenses have also gone up as well.
Ben Beckman, University of Nebraska extension agent, said the outlook is still up in the air. Exactly how much ranchers will be set back by this drought year remains unclear.
“So, is it worthwhile to try to hold on to some animals and beat through it, or do you sell off and hope that prices aren’t too exorbitant on the other side where we’re trying to buy back replacement heifers or build our herd back up?” Beckman asked.
Calculating when to cut bait is a hard choice for ranchers. Seeing years of labor not bear fruit is a “punch in the gut,” Beckman said.
Now, many Nebraskans are hoping that rain will finally fall and ease the impacts of the ongoing drought.
“We’re all praying for rain and mother nature to help us out a little here,” Hanson said. “It’s the only thing we can do.”
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September 27, 2022 at 05:08PM
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"Some of the worst I've ever seen" Nebraska ranchers, farmers struggle against 5th worst drought on record - Nebraska Public Media | News
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