http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

v 2.4.3.0

Oklahoma ranchers were selling cattle herds, the cost of shipping hay has tripled in some cases, and dry ponds were common as drought persists, constituting a crisis for the agriculture industry. Water for livestock was in short supply forcing ranchers to haul it in. Many ranchers, lacking food and water for their livestock, have been selling cattle, reducing the state’s cattle population by about 12%, according to the executive vice president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. Many producers do not have enough hay to get through the winter, so sell-offs are likely to continue. It is possible that another large livestock selloff could take place in December and January. The Oklahoma Legislature allocated $3 million for drought relief this year, but exactly how the money would be spend had not been determined. An emergency drought commission meeting was held a week ago. Discussion included assisting ranchers with building a new water supply or drilling wells. Helping ranchers clean out dry ponds was another idea, as well as powering water pumps with solar panels rather than electrical lines. For many ranchers, the present drought could likely end their operations, particularly if they sell their entire herd. The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City), Sept 25, 2022