A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
May 27, 2009
2. Supply –
Shortage of grass worries ranchers
Redding Searchlight – 5/25/09
By
Across
Some ranchers can't afford the extra cost of hay and are selling their cattle a year younger than they normally would, said Kevin Devine, a spokesman for Shasta Livestock Auction Yard in
"You can foresee that you're not going to have feed, so you cull," Devine said.
"It's the first time in 30 years we've had to feed hay in the winter months," said Prather Ranch manager Jim Rickert, who estimated that he spent an additional $30,000 in feed for his 1,500 cows.
Grass on the open range is a cheaper source of feed. But after three years of
Several ranchers, including Glenn Aldridge of Shingletown, said their cattle have eaten much of the grass where they winter in the
Simply relocating cattle sooner isn't a perfect solution, however.
"A lot of grass hasn't grown yet at higher elevations where there may still be snow," said Shannon Wooten of Palo Cedro.
"A lot of guys are pushed to go there before the feed is ready," Wooten added.
Overgrazing on spring growth creates another problem. Ranchers would prefer to leave their winter range with more grass so that cattle have something to eat when they return in the fall, Aldridge said.
With little grass remaining, ranchers are hoping for an early rain season.
"Hopefully it will rain early in the fall. Otherwise, I'll have to feed hay or (buy) another supplement," Aldridge said.
"The economy is hurting us, too, on top of the
"This is about as tough (a year) as I've seen. Everyone is trying to find extra feed," Peek said.
Ivar Amen and Miranda Butcher each operate ranches irrigated by the Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District. They have less to worry about because the district expects to receive all of its water allotment from the Bureau of Reclamation.
In 2008, crop loss estimates in
Estimated crop losses in
Statewide, rangeland made up more than a third of total crop losses, worth $116.9 million.
"I talked to a couple people about it this morning ... both said they were selling livestock," said Paul Kjos, deputy agricultural commissioner for
Kjos is gathering information from area ranchers to see whether the county qualifies for disaster relief due to
http://www.redding.com/news/2009/may/25/shortage-grass-worries-ranchers/
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