Supplementing Cattle during Periods of Drought

Drought-affected pastures and native range generally do not produce adequate forage to maintain “normal” stocking rates, so producers have a few options to consider.  Depending on the situation, a producer can elect to reduce the stocking rates where possible or choose to supplement the existing forage cover with energy, protein or a combination of both.  The option then is to determine what delivery method is most cost effective. 

Solar Watering Systems

Many producers have recognized the importance of a quality water source for their grazing livestock. Equally important to managing the upland grazing areas are the management of the riparian areas. Producers are now installing alternate watering systems to preserve the quality and stretch the quantity of water available to the grazing herd.