Early rains producing a record hay crop: Producers urged to lock in prices now to survive drought ahead
By HOLLI ESTRIDGE
Special to The Post
It's been music to the ears of farmers and ranchers -- the sounds of thunder and rainfall. But on the heels of one of the driest years on record, the recent uptick in moisture still may not be enough to boost forages.
"The prospects going forward are pretty bleak," said Larry Redmon, Texas AgriLife Extension Service professor and State Forage Specialist. "We're back in the la niña weather pattern, which indicates more drought for us."
Some ranchers are still reeling from the crippling drought in 2009 -- a year that saw a widespread shortage of hay supplies and large numbers of cattle sold because producers couldn't afford to feed them. The coming winter months likely will be less brutal, but ranchers still will need to be prepared, said Redmon.
"Ranchers who are right on the edge of reducing their cow herd need to do so now, because cattle prices will be lower in the winter" said Redmon, who oversees statewide education programs focused on improving forage crops management. He added that ranchers needing hay should lock in supplies now.
Hay prices have remained steady, amid moderate trade and demand conditions, according to a recent hay report issued by the USDA. In Central and East Texas, small bales of alfalfa, coastal bermuda and Tifton 85 are bringing between $6 to $8 per bale for hay with higher crude protein percentages.
Redmon said those prices will climb in the winter months, as ranchers' need for hay increases.
Increased Hay Production
Meanwhile Milton Charanza of Caldwell said the private treaty cattle operation he runs with his father has seen roughly four times the amount of hay this year that it has in the past three to four years combined.
"We are still cutting and baling right now," he said. "We've worked really hard here trying to produce forage -- to have a year-round forage program."
Charanza said that program includes planting improved bermuda grasses, clovers and rye grass for winter and spring grazing. Charanza -- who was a commercial Brahman breeder, exhibitor and marketer for many years -- is owner of Broken Triangle Cattle Marketing, a sales, marketing and consulting firm.
Matt Jones, owner of Franklin-based Solid Rock Ranch, said he tries to stockpile grass for the winter if he is able.
"Sometimes I will plant rye grass in bermuda grass pastures, if it looks like we will be getting moisture," he said. "Sometimes I broadcast it, and sometimes I drill it in."
So far Jones said his registered Angus cattle and bull operation is seeing the best year it's had so far, with the exception of 2007, he said.
"Our cattle are getting a lot to eat, especially with the better rain we had in August," he said.
According to USDA reports, most regions of the state are reporting adequate soil moisture and good pasture conditions with little supplemental feeding being reported. But some livestock producers are beginning to stockpile hay for fall and winter.
"Horse and dairy quality hay is becoming more difficult to find, causing prices to remain firm," the report states. "There is a large volume of damaged hay available on the market, keeping pressure on the lower quality hay prices."
East Texas is receiving the most adverse affects of hot days and low soil moisture, causing short hay yields and some supplemental feeding.
Winterizing pastures
As the summer draws to a close, Redmon said ranchers should have their soil test samples analyzed and begin thinking about the fertilizer inputs they need to make regarding winter forages.
"Think about seed preparation winter forage establishment," he said. "Which pastures are you going to use? When will you have cattle out of those pastures?"
Redmon also advocates having a timeline for planting seed -- typically about six to eight weeks prior to the first frost.
* Holli Estridge is a freelance writer in Bryan-College Station
