If normal forage growth is absent or significantly delayed, cattle producers will face some critical decisions rather quickly in the next few weeks.
Producers need to develop drought management plans now to survive in the face of a potentially extended drought that threatens the entire growing season.
One strategy is simply to hunker down, try to hold on to everything, and acquire feed resources to try to skimp animals through the drought.
The sooner a producer can evaluate and inventory resources, the more opportunity will exist to make decisions rather having decisions forced on them.
Additionally, it’s important to evaluate forage and feed resources available today, including standing forage, hay and other feed resources.
When animal numbers can no longer be maintained it is important to remember that liquidation is not an all or nothing proposition.
Access Farm Management Resources Online The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service developed and catalogued farm management resources on a variety of financial, production, marketing, and risk management topics.
One current example of these resources is the Dealing with Financial Stress video.
He discusses ways to diagnose a farm business problem and how to distinguish if the financial stress is short term or long term.
To find this video and additional resources on farm stress, go to: http://agecon.okstate.edu/efarmmanagement/stress.asp.