Sigh Of Relief

[agchat]

As once again today the wind is howling, memories for me come back of the eighties. Back then our southeast corner of the province was dry dry dry dry dry. One sigh of relief for me this time is no cattle. Never would want to go back to that terrible experience. Had a uncle who always said, no matter what happens land will always be there next year, cattle a different story. Financial strain is always a nerve wreck, but sometimes making a decision to be forced to sell when next week or month could turn around is no comparison. Back then you still had crop insurance but never nothing for cattle, except odd band aid programs. To those parts of the province drying up fast now, good luck, but for those who have cattle, if things do not change soon, my heart goes out to you.

[biglentil]

Pasteurs look stressed like its July, yellowing. What should they do sell some of the herd off now before everyone fire sales?

[boarderbloke]

Our rainfall forecast has been greatly reduced over the last 3 days, basically down to a couple mm's which won't do anything to top up the moisture after the wind we've been having lately. Better hope it was planted deep enough to get the germ in the first place!

[boarderbloke]

At first it looks like a big Low system, but it's not really organized, and not pulling much moisture from the pacific. No moisture streaming up from the Gulf to feed it either. Most likely a bust for us in SESK, maybe AB will get it and slow down whose fires. Of course last year that smoke saved our asses.

[farming101]

WIND! If it ever quits blowing I'll fall over. Dust flying around the yard. No spraying today. Sigh.

[farmaholic]

.....nobody in their right mind.

[Guest]

I dont want to get into a pissing match but I have a few thoughts. We run cattle and we do it the opposite way of the quote/unquote cattle guys. We feed them for more months than they graze. We always have a yer supply of hay left over and we dont buy every piece of shit cow that goes through the market. Now I know every situation is different and yes a drought will hurt hay production but I feel too many guys expect too much from the pastures. Thats my two cents.

[farmaholic]

"Pasture management" will be no different than anything else.. .if it's poorly managed expect poor pastures. But sometimes conditions are so bad its hard to manage. Maybe if it gets too dry they need to come out. Supplementing them on pasture with mediocre hay will likely keep the pressure on struggling grass. Is it feasible to supplement with good quality hay and high energy feeds so they lay around most of the time?

Tough situation for dryed out pastures and shitty hay crops. All at the same time cattle prices are dipping.

We are out of cattle now. Only one I ever missed is the one that landed in the deep freezer.

[farmaholic]

"Pasture management" will be no different than anything else.. .if it's poorly managed expect poor pastures. But sometimes conditions are so bad its hard to manage. Maybe if it gets too dry they need to come out. Supplementing them on pasture with mediocre hay will likely keep the pressure on struggling grass. Is it feasible to supplement with good quality hay and high energy feeds so they lay around most of the time?

Tough situation for dryed out pastures and shitty hay crops. All at the same time cattle prices are dipping.

We are out of cattle now. Only one I ever missed is the one that landed in the deep freezer.

[agchat]

4G, you are right not getting into a pissing match, but what I saw in our area for about three years, NO ****ing management would of helped. When the pastures are crispy end of may, and you stare at your 15 bushel wheat crop wondering if you should cut it for feed, it was nerve wrecking. Thank goodness we did not overstock our cattle for what we had, AND sloughs with trees around them back them saved our ass for some feed. They caught what little snow we did get.

[jamesb]

You know I remember the 80's too. One thing we don't have now with the wind today is the blowing dirt. In the 80's lots of us were using press drills to seed after 5 passes of cultivator and harrow. The dirt in the air in those days is something I will never forget

[farmaholic]

Some local observations... guys putting them in too early and/or overstocking generally have pastures that struggle compared to the guys who wait longer in spring or don't overstock. More than enough feed to take you through one year is good insurance if it can be had.

Glad I don't have to concern myself with it anymore but have empathy for those who do.

[Guest]

Agchat, I understand to an extent but if you have never build in some type of safety net then you cannot expect much else. Putting up a poor hay crop is terrible and we have been fortunate to have had some dandy ones lately to help build our inventory. I have neighbors that sell any extra hay and then scramble in the spring if they need some. I think farma has it, management is key. I could go on and on about this but every situation is different. We cut 70 acres of oats last year for greenfeed and will probably cut some more this year. Guys will have to get off their $2000/calf bank account buy some feed. Or did it go to a new 1/2 ton, trips, new equipment. All is fine but make sure you have both ends covered. Cattle are dipping and the ride may be over (glad I didnt buy any $3500 bred cows). Time will tell, back to seeding my last bit of canola into what moisture is there.

[grassfarmer]

A lot of dust blowing off farmland here in SW Manitoba today. Looks like the 30s starting over again. Lots of canola sitting in dry dirt or not seeded yet because its too dry. Grass taking some management but at least in a drought I feel you get paid for your management.

[perfecho]

We are finally getting the much needed moisture around Edmonton....it was looking pretty bleak...some plans of taking cows to auction. Quite cool yet...around 0 much of the time, but looking better next week.