– Dr.Katie VanValin, Assistant Extension Professor, University of Kentucky
Is Ohio weather similar to Kentucky?
Over the last 25 years, Kentucky has seen an increase in annual rainfall and at the same time an increase in prolonged dry periods or drought. While seemingly counterintuitive, an increase in rainfall intensity is to blame for an increase in precipitation and drought at the same time. The last three years have seen a drought set in during late summer and early fall. As of late August, a portion of 109 out of Kentucky’s 120 counties are at least “abnormally dry”, with 22 counties at least partially considered to be in a D1 Drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Meaning perhaps now more than ever, we should be thinking about ways to make our farms drought ready. Here are a few tips to consider when managing through a drought.
1) Inventory current pasture and stored forages: It’s important to know what resources are available before deciding how to add to them or utilize them. Assess current pasture conditions and estimate how much grass is available, keeping in mind that overgrazing drought stressed pastures can slow recovery once rain returns. Take stock of hay inventory, considering not just quantity but also quality. Knowing the nutrient content of hay or other stored forages will help match feed resources with the nutritional needs of cattle on your operation.
2) Stretch pastures strategically: One mistake that I think we often make during a drought is waiting too long to act- sometimes out of optimism, hoping the rain will come any day now or thinking conditions are not “bad enough” yet. If you have plenty of hay, consider feeding it in a dry-lot or strategically on pastures using a method like bale grazing. Remember, if given the choice, cattle will prefer grazing over poor-quality hay, which can lead to overgrazed pastures. In that case, it might be better to confine cattle or “shut the gate” and feed hay in a smaller area, giving the rest of the farm time to rest.
If stored forage is limited, the strategy looks different. Purchasing supplemental feeds may be more economical than buying more hay. On a cost per pound of energy (TDN) or protein (CP) basis, commodities such as soyhulls, dried distillers grains, corn gluten feed, or corn are often cheaper than hay, especially when demand for hay is high. Limit feeding a mix of low-quality hay and supplement may stretch resources further than relying on purchased hay alone. Assume a 1300 lb. lactating cow can eat roughly 2% of her body weight in hay on a dry matter basis that is ~26 lbs. of hay on a dry-matter basis or ~29 lbs. as-fed per day. While average quality hay may still require supplementation to meet the nutritional needs of a lactating cow this might typically look like 5-6 lbs. of soy-hulls, whereas in a limit fed scenario, only 5-7 lbs. of hay would be fed per day along with 12-15 lbs. of soy-hulls.
3) Monitor water sources closely: Keep a close eye on water sources, especially when relying on natural water supplies that can dry up quickly in a drought. Quality of natural water sources may deteriorate as droughts continue. Look for signs of excessive algae growth, sediment, or debris. Research shows that cattle prefer clean drinking water, and dirty water sources can limit water intake. Decreased water intake can contribute to poor performance, health challenges, and is an animal welfare concern. This is especially true when drought occurs during times of the year when heat stress is also a factor. Be sure to check water sources daily and have a plan for getting water to cattle if resources become limited.
4) Maintain Body Condition: When pasture quality deteriorates or feeding conserved forages, it is possible for cattle to lose condition. Ideally, cows should maintain a body condition score of 5-6, as cows with a body condition score < 5 have a longer post-partum interval, lower conception rates, and decreased pregnancy rates. Additionally, cows that have a longer post-partum interval or get bred later in a breeding season will have younger and lighter calves when weaning their next calf. Regardless of where cattle markets are, getting cows bred, and especially earlier in the breeding season is a critical part of a profitable herd. This becomes especially apparent though, when we are looking at historic cattle prices. We can afford to feed cattle through this drought if we must, and that is a better investment in the long run vs. allowing cattle to lose condition leading to decreased reproductive efficiency.
For spring calving herds, dry cows can maintain and in a lot of cases gain condition on moderate quality grass hay alone. For fall calving herds supplementation is likely required to meet the nutritional needs of a cow in early lactation. Regardless of your calving season, keep a close eye on the herd and consider separating off thin cows and young cows or heifers that have higher nutrient requirements and managing this higher-maintenance group separately from the rest of the herd. Remember, failing to maintain condition now affects not only the current calf but also the next one. A mistake today can be costly 18-20 months from now.
5. One way to lessen the impact of drought on the herd is to reduce the number of mouths that need fed, either through culling or weaning. Use caution with extreme culling, as cows producing and raising live calves are valuable in the current market. However, culling unproductive cows such as older or open cows can help reduce pressure on drought-stressed pastures. Chute-side pregnancy test kits can help identify open cows.
Weaning calves is another option for managing drought. While extreme early weaning (<100 days) can work, it is generally better to wait until calves are a bit older. For droughts occurring in late summer or early fall weaning can be a viable strategy for spring-calving herds. Feeding a dry cow and her calf separately can be more efficient than keeping the calf on the cow. Although selling calves at weaning may be tempting to capture the current market, pre-conditioning (castration, vaccination, and feeding for at least 60 days) can add value, especially with low cost of gain. Limit-feeding hay and supplement in a dry lot can stretch feed resources while reducing stress on pastures, assuming the hay supply is adequate. Weaning also benefits the cow, since a dry cow eats less and requires a less nutrient-dense diet than a lactating cow.
Drought management will look different from operation to operation, and from year to year varying on the severity and timing of the drought. It is important to have a plan and be prepared to act but also be cautious not to overreact with aggressive culling decisions that may be impactful in the future. Keep a watchful eye and reach out to your local county extension office with any additional questions or concerns you have as we continue through this dry spell. Here’s hoping rain finds its way to your farm soon and eases these dry conditions.