Drought Forcing Cattle Stocking Rate Adjustments; Here are Three Options

As drought continues to strain forage and pasture availability in the Plains, it’s got some cattle producers weighing adjusting stocking rates to match better with available forage feedstocks. But that doesn’t always mean culling or selling off animals, only to have to buy them back when forage conditions improve. There are three strategies for reducing stocking rates to ensure your pasture can sustain your herd. First, you can supplement your forage or provide a substitute feedstock. Secondly, there’s always the option of shipping owned cattle to feed or graze at a different geographic location where there’s more ample forage supplies. Option number-three is still selling some cattle, but it’s important to consider not just the short-term implications of that move. Think about the implications of trimming your herd size relating to your operation’s different enterprises, business structures and the cost and tax implications of selling then buying back more at a later date. See more on these strategies.