Drought Forces Cattlemen to Shrink their Herds
Double digit temperatures and no rain makes a dangerous combination for farmers.
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Double digit temperatures and no rain makes a dangerous combination for farmers. Video by kmtv.com
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Malvern, IA – Double digit temperatures and no rain; It’s a dangerous combination for farmers. For some selling their cows is their only option.
The scorching sun and the unforgiving heat have dried up grassy meadows this summer.
Don Wolfe says a lot more farmers are coming through to auction of their cows. That’s exactly what Andy Grindle, an Iowa farmer is doing. He and his father own 165 cows.
Grindle says he is already feeding his cattle hay which was reserved for the winter. If they use it all up now the cows will have nothing to eat. Cutting into the winter feed supply five months ahead of schedule.
Even worse, the cows are losing value. The Grindles are considering selling 20% of their herd.
They have 450 bales of hay left for their cattle. They have to make it last for the next 10 months.
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