Drought and rising hay costs challenge High Plains livestock feed supplies

CASTRO COUNTY, Texas (KVII) — A combination of drought, extreme weather conditions and the rising cost of hay are the three main factors making it tougher for livestock producers to have ample feed on hand. The Ogallala Commons held a grazing possibilities symposium in the Playa Basin for producers to attend.

In this week’s Water Grow’s, ABC7 News looks at how restoring playas can help growers in today’s ever-challenging climate.

“Around here, we're dealing with drought primarily and we have short wet spells by and large all across the High Plains,” said Tim Steffens, rangeland scientist.

“We live in a continental climate,” said Chris Grotegut, rancher & veterinarian. “No, we do not have a coastal climate here on the High Plains.”

Moving animals across the landscape is a practice that has been going on for more than a century however it’s becoming more challenging for livestock producers as the weather changes over the years.

“What the challenges are over the long periods of dry that seem to be becoming more prevalent,” said Grotegut. “We’re having to learn how to manage the quality and quantity of feed that we have available and that’s the stocking rate of these animals so that we don’t have to purchase as much outside feed.”

“What we have to do most of the time is meter out the quality forage and mix that with the stuff for the animals with a little lesser of a quality,” said Steffens.

Playa lakes are a primary source of recharge providing clean water for future generations to enjoy.

“We’re definitely seeing longer periods and frequent periods of drought but we're also seeing more intense rain events so shorter but more intense rain events,” said Heather Johnson, migratory game bird specialist. “That is going to adjust your grazing plan on how you do on your grazing lands and on your playas.”

“We still work within the paradigms of living in society and producing animals so that people will have their steaks and so we have good nutrition,” said Grotegut.

The goal of the program is to help property owners better understand how to put a playa lake to work for you that will be beneficial for wildlife and for future generations.