Drought Stressed Pasture

We stopped by the pasture yesterday to drop off some protein tubs. Since we are about 8 inches behind in rain for the year, and the temperatures for the last 20 days have been over 100 degrees, the pasture is pretty much fried.

The good news is that it actually looks better than it did a couple weeks ago thanks to cooler temps last week and a little bit of rain. Because the quality of the remaining grass is lacking, Harland has been supplementing their diet with protein lick tubs for the last few weeks.

We dropped off 3 more of them yesterday. Most of the cattle were out of sight enjoying the shade of the trees down in the valley except for two cows.  Number 183 was busily licking at this tub when I got out of the truck and I walked right up to her.

Strange she didn’t run away. I turned to Harland, “Hey, she’s very nearly tame.”

He replied, “Yeah, and you know what else is weird about her is that she is here licking at the tubs every time I come down here.”

Number 183 is a protein tub junkie. She needs an intervention.

Says Number 183:  “Mmmmmmmolasses. “

Anyway, the temperatures have cooled down from the blast furnace we enjoyed earlier. Highs this week are only supposed to about 90 degrees each day. And there’s more rain in the forecast, so we’re hoping the grass will hold out until fall when we’ll bring the herd home for the winter.

In the meantime, Number 183 goes from tub to tub, licking each one in turn.

 “I think this one tastes better. Mmm…num num num.”

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo

Suzanne

Cattle, corn, wheat, beans, mud, snow, ice, and drought. Plenty of fresh air and quiet. Our life is sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes joyous, but never boring.

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7 Responses

  1. Alice says:

    Your weather has been so hot and dry. I’ve been wondering about how your garden is doing this year.

  2. Karen says:

    She is one smart cow and very pretty, too! I wonder if molasses will make my hair as shiny and glossy as hers! Sorry for your terrible drought. Good to hear it is going to rain soon and your temperatures are coming down. Although, 90’s doesn’t sound too much cooler to me! xx

  3. Alica says:

    A molasses junkie! 🙂 We used to use those tubs, and our heifers loved them too! I guess if I had free choice molasses I’d like it too! (or make that chocolate for me!)

  4. Sue, a Florida Farm Girl says:

    Oh, I’m so sorry to see the pastures looking so sad. They were so lush earlier in the year. Hope you get some (lots) of rain soon.

  5. Louise S says:

    No. 183 is such a pretty girl! The drought is bad here in Illinois also. Makes me heartsick to see all the grass and crops just frying in the sun. We actually got a full inch of rain last Saturday, along with lots of thunder and lightning and wind, but I’ll take it any way I can get it. My “crunchy” grass loved it!

  6. #183 knows what’s going on! haha! She is cute!! I pray for rain for you guys…looks like you really need it. We were so dry in June and July, but recently, thank goodness we have been getting it on a regular basis.

    • Suzanne says:

      It was 104 here again yesterday, but the weather is changing and looks like that the last we’ll have of toaster oven type days. Highs this weekend only in the 80s. Rain pops up all around us from time to time, but none here for a while. Our soybeans are suffering.
      Thanks Bonnie!

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