Agricultural News
OSU's Dr. Derrell Peel says Rain Raises Hopes for Cattle Producers in Oklahoma
Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:36:43 CDT
Unsettled weather for most of a week brought rain in varying amounts to much of the state. Some of the hottest, driest areas received little if any moisture but much of the state received from one half inch to three or more inches. Unfortunately, the forecast going forward is for a return to 100+ temperatures with very limited chances for additional moisture for the next ten days or so. The change has brought relatively cooler weather and even the return to high temperatures this week is expected to be accompanied by lower nighttime low temperatures which will relieve some stress on animals, according to OSU Extension Livestock Market Economist, Dr. Derrell Peel.
The impact of the rains so far is mostly one of getting hopes up. Most of the rain did little to fill any ponds so limited water supplies are still a major concern for many producers. The moisture may result in a slight greening of some pastures but is likely to provide little significant forage growth. Producers should remember that pastures are vulnerable to damage if not managed carefully in this situation. Pastures need time to recover and immediate use after marginal growth could be detrimental longer term. The desperate need for grazing forage should be balanced against the health of the pasture, especially at this late date in the growing season.
Perhaps the most hopes are pinned on the prospects for wheat pasture which are raised from virtually zero to slight with this moisture. Many producers are hoping for wheat pasture, maybe not just to run winter stockers, but to provide forage for cows this fall and winter. If fall forage develops there will certainly be plenty of demand for it.
Auction totals in Oklahoma indicate that cattle liquidation is continuing. Both feeder and cow totals are still higher than year ago levels. Feeder cattle totals continue to include significant numbers of early-weaned lightweight calves. The cow and bull total volume is still nearly 3 times higher than last year. However, slaughter cow prices rebounded some this last week. This is likely due to the fact that some of the bottlenecks at auctions and with trucking, caused by huge runs this last month, have eased a bit. There are more indications that cows are being bought and relocated north of Interstate 70 into areas of Nebraska and the Dakotas and other regions. This is particularly true as the liquidation cuts deeper and deeper into cow herds and more younger and productive cows are being sold.
Cattle producers still face a long winter. The recent rains helped morale by reminding everyone that it can still rain in Oklahoma but it will take significantly more moisture to substantially change the situation for cattle.
Our thanks to Dr. Peel for providing this latest analysis of the cattle market- it's a part of the weekly Cow Calf Corner electronic newsletter that Dr. Peel and Dr. Glenn Selk of OSU produce on most Mondays.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
