After cattle producers had an easier calving season this spring compared to 2019, an issue cropping up now is lack of grazing pasture for cows and livestock.
Guthrie County has been experiencing severe drought conditions for the last few weeks, and according to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for the first time since early April less than half of pastures were rated good to excellent. ISU Extension and Outreach Beef Specialist Erika Lundy says farmers are grateful this week for cooler temperatures to alleviate possible heat-induced stress for livestock, but the lack of rain decreases forage building ability for cattle, “And so that’s a concern kind of in the short run is what are we going to do with those cows when we don’t have that pasture for them to access. So several producers have responded by supplementing hay or maybe providing some type of a grain based supplement to those cows out on pasture as well. And so hopefully we can catch some rain and start to see some forage that will start to regrow from that perspective.”
Lundy adds she’s also recently heard concerns from local producers on hay production. She mentions that as the second hay cutting this year showed lower quantities than usual, chances for a third cutting are uncertain. Lundy and other Extension specialists will be discussing drought-related issues at a free public meeting this Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds. More information can be found here.