N E W S R E L E A S E -- N E W S R E L E A S E

FIVE RULES FOR RANCH DROUGHT SURVIVAL

The probability of a major drought occurring or the possible length of an already existing dry period are usually much discussed subjects by Texas ranchers. For the West/Central Texas rancher drought is a way of life. During the past seventy years the West Texas area has encountered drought conditions two out of every five years.

Rule number one is to constantly evaluate ranch forage supplies and strive to balance livestock numbers with forage availability. Reducing stocking rates during drought pays dividends in terms of less damage to desirable forage plants, more

rapid range recovery following drought, reduced supplemental feeding costs and fewer losses of livestock to toxic plants.

When estimating future forage supplies care should be taken to not overestimate the probability of receiving rainfall. For example, a rancher near Brady, Texas has only a 50% chance of receiving 2.0 inch or greater rainfall in September. Near San Angelo this probability drops to 40%. Being aware of the above probabilities will help make stocking rate adjustments based on fact, not hope.

Rule number two is to manipulate the livestock mix to reduce drought risk. In general, breeding herds should constitute no more than 60% of the total carrying capacity of a ranch with the remainder of the stocking rate composed of held over yearlings or

stocker type animals. When additional forage is available extra animals can be purchased to take advantage of the feed. If drought conditions occur and forage supplies are limiting, livestock numbers can be reduced by selling the stockers or yearlings first without destroying the integrity of the breeding herd. Accurate records of livestock performance should be maintained so that when it becomes necessary to reduce the breeding herd, the least desirable animals are culled first.

Rule number three is to supplement livestock to insure that proper nutritional requirements are being met. This is essential to prevent a reduction in reproductive rates and overall performance of livestock during drought. For example, phosphorous is known to be deficient in most Texas range forage. This mineral should be provided yearlong, free-choice to livestock as a 1:1 calcium:phosphorous mix. Phosphorous should be supplemented not only during drought years, but during the wet ones as well.

Vitamin A can also be expected to be limiting during drought conditions. This vitamin can be stored by livestock for a maximum of 90 days. When no green forage is available to livestock exceeding that length of time it should be supplemented.

Protein and energy can also be expected to be limiting during drought. To properly supplement these nutrients it is beneficial to utilize a forage testing program. The data obtained can then be used to establish what nutrients are limiting and in what quantity they should be supplemented. The result is an accurate supplemental feeding program that provides the required nutrients to each grazing animal while maintaining feeding costs at the lowest possible level. When supplemental feeding it should be remembered that pregnant females require a much higher nutritional level than animals simply maintaining themselves.

When the range becomes severely forage depleted, caution should be used that supplemental feeding does not evolve into maintenance feeding. If each grazing animal is not able to obtain his fill from the range forage, supplementing this fill will only serve to accelerate permanent range damage by providing livestock the energy to continue to graze any and all remaining forage. At this stage, the alternatives are to either sell animals, lease additional grazing land, move animals to alternative sources of feed, or use a complete or semi-drylot program to reduce grazing pressure on the remaining forage.

Rule number four is to be vigilant for potential poisonous plant problems during drought. The possible consumption of toxic plants during drought is increased due to reduced grazing selectivity by livestock. Such problems can be accelerated by livestock deficiencies of phosphorous or vitamin A which can greatly alter livestock grazing behavior.

Rule number five is to concentrate on other sources of income such as wildlife during drought. Harvesting wildlife during drought can be good drought strategy in that it promotes a reduction in the incidence of starvation, and associated diseases, and will help maintain the remaining wildlife in a more desirable condition for recovery when drought breaks. All of the above is accomplished while also providing much needed cash flow for the ranch.

In summary, droughts are of common occurrence on rangelands, especially in West Texas. The rancher who plans for these droughts, maintains adequate forage reserves by properly balancing his livestock numbers to the forage supply and uses sound range management principles will not be forced into panic culling of livestock on a depressed market. He will also be able to significantly reduce the long-term adverse affects of drought on the rangeland forage resource.