The word DROUGHT is already being used and it's just May. Here are a few things farmers and livestock producers can do to help get through these harsh conditions. If you would like more information please reach out to Allison Brown, Livestock, Forages and Field Crops Extension Agent by email allison_brown@ncsu.edu or phone 828-632-4451.
For now pasture-based livestock producers need to be careful not to overgraze pastures, and start thinking about an emergency feeding program. If there is a significant amount of grass in pastures, livestock can be rotated through, but should be moved before the pasture gets grazed down short. When all pastures are 3-4 inches livestock should be confined in a sacrifice pasture and fed hay until substantial rain has fallen.
The hay crop is likely to be short, so farmers are weighing their options. Stands of wheat and other small grains have substantial biomass, but if it does not rain soon will have very limited grain. This forage could be cut for hay as a salvage practice. If you do cut small grains (or any hay for that matter) you should get a nitrate test before feeding. The NCDA&CS Forage lab will run a nitrate analysis for free and will provide quick feedback when they find a potentially toxic level in a sample.
Selective culling is a practice that can help farmers reduce their feed demand which will be critical to making it through a drought. Selling unproductive or old livestock now and keeping the highly productive females with a long future ahead of them will help a farmer get through the drought and improve their herd at the same time.
Finally, the Livestock Forage Program will provide some relief to farmers in affected counties. The Drought Monitor status is used to trigger benefit payments, so be aware of the status of your county.
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