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It looks like another dry year for cattle producersArkansas The unusual spring and early summer weather is indicating that cattle producers are probably in for another dry summer. Cattle producers have been managing around drought and extreme dry condition for the past two years. In 2005 and 2006, three weather factors in the spring reduced hay production and summer grazing. They were: below average rainfall during the key spring months, high winds and cool night-time temperatures. Rainfall totals in 2007 started off on an encouraging note with January's rainfall total well above average. Rainfall totals for February, March, April and May were below average and June could also be below average. The National Weather Service used the Palmer Drought Severity Index to identify dry, normal or wet condition in the United States. The Drought Index has Arkansas divided into 9 regions. The recent Palmer Drought Severity Index map shows five of the nine Arkansas regions in moderate drought and one region--in far northeast Arkansas in severe drought. The map can be found at: drought.unl.edu/dm/current.html. Without normal spring rainfall over the past three years, hay and summer pasture production has been reduced. The first hay cutting this spring was hampered by a hard freeze over the Easter weekend. Before Easter, many producers reported the hay crop was two to three weeks ahead of schedule, mainly because of warm spring nights. When the Easter freeze came, much, if not all of the warm season hay crop, was frozen back, delaying the first hay cutting by two to three weeks. Pasture conditions for grazing is also negatively affected. Lack of top soil moisture affects the plants' ability to grow well enough to compete with invader plants. In many pastures across Arkansas, grass stands are weakened and weeds populations increased. Cattle producers should start watching the weather closely. If rainfall is below average in June, many cattle producers will be short of forage for the second hay cutting. They should be thinking about a drought strategy just in case the state doesn't get early summer rains. Producers should check pastures to prevent over grazing, which can lead to reduced cattle performance. Be ready to cull non-productive or low performance cattle if dry weather continues. Even though spring rains were below normal, many ponds and streams have good water supply. Providing a good water supply is always important, but it becomes critical during hot summer weather. Cattle require greater amounts of water during hot weather. Weaning calves early can help reduce a cow's nutritional demands. Remember, it's cheaper to feed a cow and calf separately than it is to feed the cow, which feeds the calf. Even if the weather turns dry, it's still important to provide free choice salt and mineral. Nutrient needs for phosphorus and other minerals and vitamins should be met especially during periods of drought. Provide a good free-choice mineral-vitamin supplement year-round. Environmental conditions that retard plant growth often cause excessive accumulation in plants of nitrate and prussic acid. If forage is suspect, have it tested for these poisons. Most common accumulators of nitrates ranked from highest to lowest are weeds, corn, sorghum, Sudan grass, cereal grains, tame forage and legumes. Nitrate accumulates primarily in lower stems. Prussic acid accumulates primarily in the leaves. Continue to follow recommended guidelines for vaccinating cattle, controlling files and other external and internal parasites. Be careful not to over extend when it comes to feeding during a drought. The price for feed will probably increase as the drought persists. For additional management strategies for managing beef cattle through dry weather, contact your county extension agent. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. B 15 7/16/07 1 Star WK Date: 7/12/07
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