http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

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Texas ranchers continued to send cattle to slaughter, which will drive up beef prices in the long term as the herd shrinks. Cattle were losing weight as pastures were dry, depriving the animals of an important food source. Supplementing livestock’s diet with hay and feed when they should be grazing on green grass is costly. Lots of cattle were being sold at auction in Crockett in East Texas. About 75% of the cows sold at auction the past two months have been sent to the slaughterhouse, according to a co-owner of the auction, up from 30% to 40% in normal years. Reuters (New York), Aug 24, 2022 Texas ranchers are making difficult decisions as drought conditions force them to cull cattle herds due to lack of forage. Choices must be made whether to continue feeding by finding hay or seek other economical feed options, or simply pare down the herd. Prices for supplemental feed like range cubes and hay have continued to rise, according to AgriLife Extension reports. Range cubes rose to $400 per ton near College Station in recent weeks. Round bales cost $75-$80. In recent weeks, bales in drier areas of the state have brought $80-plus. Hay production in East Texas was only 25% to 50% of normal. Water availability could become a worry in the next two months. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 20, 2022