Coping with Low Precipitation

As the fall continues to provide us with extremely dry conditions, fall growth of forages will be limited this year. Cow-calf producers should be developing a drought plan as we move through the fall and winter. Below are a few tips to consider when navigating these dry fall conditions.

Things to consider during these dry conditions include:

  1. Monitor body condition and record – Be sure to record body condition scores of cattle and monitor condition every month. Excessive losses in body stores reflect insufficient nutrient intake and should be corrected. Excessive body tissue loss can reduce milk production, lengthen anestrus and reduce herd productivity.
  2. Feed hay early – Total dry matter intake is negatively impacted when forage availability is limiting. Providing stored forages such as hay early in the fall when pastures are not growing from lack of precipitation will help reduce body condition loss.
  3. Cull – As market prices remain strong, now may be a time to consider culling opens, cows with structural issues, cows at the bottom of list production-wise, or those with poor disposition.
  4. Early-wean – Lactation increases nutrient needs of cows significantly. Weaning calves can be done with confidence as early as 90 days with success but waiting until calves are 120 days will reduce post-weaning management needs. Weaning will lower the nutrient demand for cows and aid in maintaining body condition.
  5. Substitute forage with grain – Using low-starch, highly digestible fibrous coproduct feedstuffs such as soybean hulls, wheat middlings, beet pulp and others can be used as means to increase energy intake. When providing coproduct or grain supplements, forage intake is not reduced on a 1:1 ratio. The actual forage intake may only be decreased by about 0.5 lb of dry matter for each pound of supplement dry matter offered.
  6. Consider feeding an ionophore – Research has shown providing beef cows with 200 milligrams of an ionophore such as monensin reduces gaseous energy losses associated with rumen fermentation. Research from Kentucky found that feeding an ionophore to beef cows maintained similar body condition and weights when cows were offered 15% less hay compared to cows that were not provided monensin. Ionophores must be mixed in with at least 1 pound of grain for beef cows but can be offered free choice in mineral mixtures or tubs to feeders and replacement heifers.
  7. Have municipal water as a back-up – As limited precipitation continues to linger, ponds, streams, creeks, and springs dry up. Cows need 10-20 gallons of water daily. Limiting water intake will result in reduced dry matter intake and production. Having a waterer that is connected to a municipal water supply will ensure that cattle will have access to clean water. Don’t forget to ensure the water supply is turned on, tank floats are working, and the tanks have been cleaned.
  8. Consider creep for fall-born calves – Nursing calves will have a fully functional rumen around 6-10 weeks of age. Reduced forage availability and quality will reduce milk production by the dam, but also limit nutrient intake of the calves. Limited forage nutrient intake and reduced milk consumption will reduce weaning weights and prevent calves from meeting their genetic potential for gain. Creep feeding can provide access to additional feed and increase the nutritional plane of calves. Creep feeding may be in the form of higher quality forages or grain supplementation.
  9. Control internal parasites – Young cattle are most susceptible to internal parasites. Work with your veterinarian to monitor fecal egg counts and develop a protocol to control internal parasites in cattle.
  10. Liquidate – In the event that forage and/or water resources are not available, the best option may be to sell the herd. Starving cattle is unacceptable and not an option. As an owner of livestock, it is your responsibility to ensure cattle are provided access to forage and water. Selling cattle during a high market and waiting for to buy back when prices fall can be a viable option.

I am hoping that we receive some much-needed precipitation before frost to improve pasture conditions. However, the shortened day lengths and lingering frost will limit forage production. Develop your plans and be ready to act rather than hoping for rain next week.

Source: University of Kentucky