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<blockquote data-quote="agmantoo" data-source="post: 831147" data-attributes="member: 8973"><p>When the drought hit here in 2007-2008 I had no real understanding how a severe drought would impact my operation. I had weathered drought in 2003 that was considered severe but the 2007-2008 drought brought new meaning. I have very little hay on hand, only enough to last 16 days since I rotationally feed from the stockpiled or growing fescue year round. My pastures held up for several months longer than what the conventional producers were experiencing. As the drought was not breaking I started feeding cotton gin waste and limited grazing. Good fat cows held onto body condition or dropped slightly but heifers with calves lost weight steadily. If faced again with an extended drought what I learned from this experience is that I will sell feeder calves at lower weights, cull unproven heifers, cull the oldest cows. If I cannot keep a cow in body condition score of 4.5+ I will sell her because I will still want her to bred back. Protein cake is not sold in my area but I will make some provisions to obtain a shipment next time. I did manage to purchase some good peanut hay to supplement the gin trash and will spend the money to keep the retained cattle in acceptable condition. I learned that I needed cattle in good condition coming out of the drought to get back into production ASAP. As stated above, the demand for replacement animals that were sold off by others was at peak once rain came. Additionally a person needs to plan on how they are going to restore their pastures as they will suffer for as much as 2+ years following the drought stress. Some areas I am still reseeding here in 2011.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="agmantoo, post: 831147, member: 8973"] When the drought hit here in 2007-2008 I had no real understanding how a severe drought would impact my operation. I had weathered drought in 2003 that was considered severe but the 2007-2008 drought brought new meaning. I have very little hay on hand, only enough to last 16 days since I rotationally feed from the stockpiled or growing fescue year round. My pastures held up for several months longer than what the conventional producers were experiencing. As the drought was not breaking I started feeding cotton gin waste and limited grazing. Good fat cows held onto body condition or dropped slightly but heifers with calves lost weight steadily. If faced again with an extended drought what I learned from this experience is that I will sell feeder calves at lower weights, cull unproven heifers, cull the oldest cows. If I cannot keep a cow in body condition score of 4.5+ I will sell her because I will still want her to bred back. Protein cake is not sold in my area but I will make some provisions to obtain a shipment next time. I did manage to purchase some good peanut hay to supplement the gin trash and will spend the money to keep the retained cattle in acceptable condition. I learned that I needed cattle in good condition coming out of the drought to get back into production ASAP. As stated above, the demand for replacement animals that were sold off by others was at peak once rain came. Additionally a person needs to plan on how they are going to restore their pastures as they will suffer for as much as 2+ years following the drought stress. Some areas I am still reseeding here in 2011. [/QUOTE]
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