Texas Drought

[beefy08]

How are you guys and gals down in Texas handling the drought? If you are no longer in a drought, forgive me for being misinformed.

 

[Simmymom1]

  :'(  Yup...we are still in it and it doesn't look like we are going to get any relief any time soon.  I guess we will have to wait for a darn hurricane before we get any rain.  Thanks for the concern!

 

[SlickTxMaine]

We are very much still in a drought!  We recently sold almost all of our cattle.  We were feeding hay we had for the upcoming winter, and were going to have to buy hay for the winter. The hay would be very expensive as it would have to be trucked in from a great distance, as few in this area will have extra hay to sell, and if they do, it will be at a premium.  We have always been able to make enough hay to feed our cattle thru the winter.  Most of our cattle were getting long in the tooth, so when things get back to normal, we will start over with some young ones.  My husband keeps eyeing my horses, who he not so lovingly refers to as "hay burners", but he knows selling them is not up for discussion!!  Generally, it is very miserable in Texas for all ranchers/farmers, and not much relief in sight!

 

[kobo_ranch]

We're in central TX and hurting too.  Not near as bad as farther south though.  After a few days of this 100+ degree weather doesn't take long for the grass to turn brown!
We were lucky though and got a few rains where some even in our own County didn't get near as much.  Real touch and go depending on where you are.  Weather mans been calling for rain for several days now and we haven't got a drop, hope some the others have.
As far as a hurricane, I've lived in Texas basically same area all my life, and have yet to much rain come our way even when a huge hurricane comes!  Hate to wish for that.
Hoping the 'el nino or however you say it, changes and put us back into some wet weather this fall and winter!!

It can change overnight though, so we keep a prayin'!  Doesn't due any good to worry about it (although you can't help it!) My Dad grumbled about it all the time, never understood that until we actually took over the ranch! <cowboy>

 

[LN]

See for yourself. We're an hour south of SA. We heavily reduced our cow numbers in the 05-06 drought so we have been able to keep our heads above water and we still have (dead) grass left for the fall, unlike most our neighbors who have dirt and brush. By the way, we are HOPING for a hurricane!

 

[BIGTEX]

We are still really dry in N. East Texas. We did get one cutting, thank goodness. Looks like hay is going to  be expensive this year.

 

[chambero]

From around Wichita Falls SW toward Fort Worth has been blessed.  We've gotten some rain every week or two since April.  Our pastures have had two 3/4 inch rains this week.

 

[steermomintx]

People are selling cows left and right.  We are fortunate we have irrigated hay fields.  People are constantly wanting to buy hay but we cannot sell any or we will not have enough for winter.

Me and my husband hauled some calves off last night, lots of nice looking cattle at the sale barn.  It is really really sad.  We have a creek in the back of our property that has never been dry, but it is now!!

Please send some rain our way!!!!

 

[stangs13]

We have been  lucky to get some rain the past few days...but even when they dump 2 in a night it still looks dry.  Our hay supplier normally has 35000 bales this time of year in his barns, he only had 2000 a few weeks ago, and it is all irrigated....we have limited to 5 bales of hay per person a week. I am interested to see if we will get any more...we only have about 15 bales left. 

 

[STX]

3.4 inches since last September. Any more questions? 

 

[OqRanch]

One of our ponds is dry.  Having to bring fresh water in.  Two others pastures are getting close to drying up.  Its has sprinkled a couple of days, but who cares that doesn't help.  As bad as I dread hurricanes, I think we are due one. 

 

[JSchroeder]

After going to a few auction barns and driving around over the past week, the truly amazing thing is how good condition cattle are in right now.

Admittedly, we sacrificed our calf crop by weaning them early in order to save the cows but they look ready to breed right now.  At Pleasanton yesterday there was a large group of Brangus cows brought in that I'd say were a notch above ideal condition for breeding.  Driving down the road, cows grazing on what I would call goat pastures are still holding quite a bit of flesh.

I don't know if everyone learned their lesson in 06 about overstocking but you wouldn't be able to tell conditions are as bad as they are just by looking at the cattle.

 

[beefy08]

People are selling cows left and right.  We are fortunate we have irrigated hay fields.  People are constantly wanting to buy hay but we cannot sell any or we will not have enough for winter.

Me and my husband hauled some calves off last night, lots of nice looking cattle at the sale barn.  It is really really sad.  We have a creek in the back of our property that has never been dry, but it is now!!

Please send some rain our way!!!!

If I could, I would. I'll say a few prayers for you all tonight before I turn in.

 

[cowboybecoachin]

We have been blessed with rain and hay here in Central Texas. We too suffered last year and back in '06. Our cattle look great. If you guys need some affordable hay, get in touch with me. We will not rip off our fellow Texans. Mike Christian 254-597-7121

 

[Simmimom]

We finally got two inches last Saturday night (SE Houston area).  My pasture was screaming for it.  Unfortunately it came with some strong winds.  Took the kids' trampoline airborne over an 8 ft chain link fence, across the drive, across the neighbors truck (yes, it caused damage) and up onto their  house roof.  Great for neighbor relations ...as our insurance says it falls under their auto policy.  I'll take any rain, but don't need another hurricane.  Still haven't finished dealing with all the Ike problems!

 

[afhm]

We have been blessed with rain and hay here in Central Texas. We too suffered last year and back in '06. Our cattle look great. If you guys need some affordable hay, get in touch with me. We will not rip off our fellow Texans. Mike Christian 254-597-7121

Unfortunately that is a rarity.  It seems as if hay is the ultimately and best example of how supply and demand works to drive prices up and down.

 

[steermomintx]

People are selling cows left and right.  We are fortunate we have irrigated hay fields.  People are constantly wanting to buy hay but we cannot sell any or we will not have enough for winter.

Me and my husband hauled some calves off last night, lots of nice looking cattle at the sale barn.  It is really really sad.  We have a creek in the back of our property that has never been dry, but it is now!!

Please send some rain our way!!!!

If I could, I would. I'll say a few prayers for you all tonight before I turn in.

Thank you!!!

 

[OqRanch]

I got excited yesterday evening.  It got dark, cloudy, windy & started thundering.  You guessed it...........it sprinkled about 15 seconds & it blew over.  Still no rain.  ???

 

[steermomintx]

I got excited yesterday evening.  It got dark, cloudy, windy & started thundering.  You guessed it...........it sprinkled about 15 seconds & it blew over.  Still no rain.  ???

You were lucky, we had the same thing but did not even get one drop!!!!!  I almost wanted to cry!!! ;D

 

[OqRanch]

I got excited yesterday evening.  It got dark, cloudy, windy & started thundering.  You guessed it...........it sprinkled about 15 seconds & it blew over.  Still no rain.  ???

You were lucky, we had the same thing but did not even get one drop!!!!!  I almost wanted to cry!!! ;D

Somethings gotta give!  Soon!