Hay stocks improve cattle winter feeding outlook Hay stocks for winter feeding of Texas’ cattle herd are much-improved compared to last year, but the early outlook for coolseason grazing has been dampened by drought, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts.
Winter feeding costs are likely to be lower than last year, but the ongoing dry spell across much of the state has cattle producers cautiously optimistic about sustaining their herds into spring.
Vanessa Corriher-Olson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension forage specialist in the Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Overton, said hay supplies are better than they have been going into the past two winters, but the quality may be an issue.
“The moisture prevented folks from getting into their fields at the right time to optimize the nutrient value, and if they weren’t able to apply timely fertilizer, that will have an effect on future cuttings,” she said. “I’ve seen some hay analyses around East Texas, and while it may be adequate for mature dry cows, any heifers, stockers and cows with calves will need additional protein and energy.”
Supplemental feeding prices improve Fortunately, prices for supplemental livestock rations like liquid feed and range cubes have softened some, said Jason Cleere, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in the Department of Animal Science, Bryan-College Station.
For example, a ton of range cubes is about $40-$60 less per ton than this time last year. The higher hay stocks and lower supplemental feed prices translate into lower costs for ranchers through winter.
“Calf prices are still really high, and most producers aren’t going to spend as much on hay and supplementation, which means the cost-per-day to winter a cow is down,” he said. “That translates into more money in their pocket.”
Grazing conditions in decline Fall and winter grazing conditions may be better thanlastyear,butrangelands and pastures are declining due to drought and aboveaverage temperatures, Corriher-Olson said. Declining soil moisture across much of the state is also impacting producers’ ability to establish coolseason annuals like winter wheat, oats and ryegrass.
Some fields in a few counties that emerged well were devastated by armyworms and will likely need replanting.
Drought stalling Texas beef herd rebuild Overall, Cleere said there is more optimism among cattle producers going into this winter than last year. Winter grazing conditions will continue to be a concern for ranchers until they receive adequate rainfall to support cool-season grass establishment and production.
Ranchers remain cautious when it comes to rebuilding the cow herd due to the dryer conditions they are experiencing, as well as memories of the past two years of serious droughts, he said.
“It’s certainly a different situation than last year,” Cleere said. “Producers will continue to retain replacement heifers, but it depends on whether they can hold back a number that indicates they are rebuilding their herds to pre-drought levels.”