Since October, Brian Keith has recorded less than five inches of rain at his ranch near Allen. His operation hasn’t had a runoff rainfall since June 2017.
Those two stats alone should tell you the past year has been very difficult for Keith. The issues with water are visible especially when you look at pond water, which in some cases is nearly gone. This year, that has meant early shipping.
In Keith’s case, cattle are moving 30 to 45 days early, meaning they can be as much as 75 pounds lighter than normal — not enough weight to offset the feed costs. The domino effect goes further than that.
When it comes to feed, the lack of moisture means corn is going straight to silage, and like Americus producer Jacquelyne Leffler earlier this week, Keith says he’s worried about the potential for toxic nitrate content and the potential adjustments coming for feed. Hay is also “weakened,” especially with lower-than-normal levels of Vitamin A and trace minerals that could have an impact on calves early next year.
Because of dry conditions that started developing last August, Keith says every hay bale possible was used — so there is no extra available for this summer. That will push up prices and add to cost of gain. Factor that into the equation, and Keith says the current drought is setting up to be worse on farmers and ranchers than one that developed six years ago because there are no extra resources to use at this time.
On Thursday, we continue our look at the drought-related ag situation in north Lyon County as we visit with Scott Briggs of Reading.
Photos courtesy Brian Keith
{gallery}Drought 2018 Brian Keith{/gallery}
