Drought plans............

[woodland]

An interesting task for the working day. Why not buy a pair of new boots and not throw away the old ones?

Might have been a touch of sarcasm in the previous post………. Although we’re just poor bovine herders here so a little thriftiness is necessary😉

Actually tried to buy new insulated rubber boots the other day since UFA had them on sale but none in stock……… like a lot of things these days

[woodland]

The girls and boys are all out on grass🍀 …………….. finally ……………… hopefully it grows fast than they’re making it disappear 😉

[woodland]

How’s everyone else’s grass and water situation?

[GDR]

How’s everyone else’s grass and water situation?

We've had some showers but could use some more. I think the biggest challenge here is that we are either too cold or too hot, just cant seem to get normal May or June weather this year for decent growing conditions. Grass is tall enough but is very thin, still hasnt covered last years old growth, wont get very many days out of a pasture. Almost looks more like August than June. I can't complain though, was down to High River yesterday, I think they are gonna be in trouble, hardly any grass and usually they are cutting hay pretty quick but wont be this year.

Newer hay stands here look decent, older stuff or more grassy stuff needed more rain.

[Blaithin]

Hauled the girls out the first weekend of June. Drove by this morning and you can already tell their favoured spots. They’re going to have a diet heavy in slough grass at this rate. Been getting timely rains but nothing excessive. All those storms to the west of 2 the last couple days could come more this way. I wouldn’t mind.

[GDR]

This past week the dryness has really showed up. Looks like August. Alfalfa starting to bloom and grass is either heading out super short or browned off and shrunk. Thinking about taking what's there and hoping some summer rains come for a second cut?? What's everyone else doing? Grass hasnt really grown since the cows went out and now the days will be getting shorter.

[Blaithin]

Where it’s dry it’s dry and not really coming back at all where they’re grazing it down. That said, where they’re grazing it down is also gopher hills so that’s a factor too. Out away from the gophers it’s not so bad.

Had a gate malfunction yesterday morning. The entire herd came home! What’s that mean that they’re bringing themselves home in June...


Some were brats to load up and take over. Lucky them they get to do it twice!

[woodland]

I think we’re done grazing in a month if things don’t turn around pronto. That’s with grazing almost every acre of hay too. Grass is getting lighter colour by the day and the south slopes are browning off already.

Up in the Peace country I guess guys are pulling yearlings off grass now. Probably should do the same if this heat sticks around.


I don’t want to open a pit in August in start feeding. Heck I’m still feeding the late calvers and cull cows yet.

Next year country shortly …………..😉

On a positive note there’s no mosquitos since the sloughs are gone and the grasshoppers have been drowned out repeatedly for the last five years. 🍀

[DaneG]

Hay and pasture is bad and grasshoppers are worse, going to start cutting hay on Monday not much there but may as well get what’s there before the hoppers. This year is shaping up as a wreck for the cattle business!

[Blaithin]

Did a lap this week. Home to Red Deer, out east and back home. There’s a lot of hay coming down, especially east of Red Deer. I would not call them bad crops. Not really blooming yet but can’t ask for a better week so down it comes. If the storms hit after the heat like they say there might be a good boost to a second cut. It’s awfully early.

Pastures aren’t looking as great. You can tell which ones the cows are in. There’s little to no rebound for the grass with them in there. Pastures that haven’t seen a hoof yet look alright.

This week is going to be the test for a lot of plants out here.