Tridge summary
Midwest cattle producers are grappling with drought conditions that have been exacerbated by alternating periods of rain and drought throughout the year, including severe drought in some states like Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, and moderate drought in Iowa and Missouri. The drought has significantly impacted pasture growth and surface water sources, leading to challenges in fall pasture growth and forcing producers to consider alternative feeding strategies and grazing methods. Despite these challenges, there is a bright spot with increased surface moisture from recent storms, although the weather pattern is expected to be unpredictable due to La Nina. Additionally, the article highlights the need for producers to ensure forage quality, notes the high hay inventory from earlier rains but potential quality concerns, and discusses the implications of these conditions for herd expansion and stored hay use.
Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.
Original content
REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Midwest cattle producers have dealt with drought conditions over the past several years. Early 2024 spring rains across the area helped pasture and range conditions, but by midsummer, drought conditions returned, and producers have struggled with fall pasture growth. "Fall pasture just didn't grow. Not even the fescue and this is very uncommon for Missouri," said Eric Bailey, University of Missouri Extension beef nutrition specialist. "With droughts in 2018, 2022, 2023 and 2024, our pastures haven't had a chance to get going, but more concerning this year is the lack of surface water and water sources drying up." Montgomery City, Missouri, cattle producer Ryan Poston experienced similar moisture issues as others in the Midwest with timely rains until mid-July, when the drought returned. "We put hay up and have a good amount of stored hay, but the pastures needed help when the moisture stopped," he said. In 2023, Poston tried planting sorghum sudangrass, but ...
Source: Dtnpf
Would you like more in-depth insights?
Gain access to detailed market analysis tailored to your business needs.
Related market data
What to read next
Read more relevant content
By clicking “Accept Cookies,” I agree to provide cookies for statistical and personalized preference purposes. To learn more about our cookies, please read our Privacy Policy.