Cattle raisers' survey shows extent of drought impact on Texas ranchers

The worst 1-year drought on record is affecting ranchers in the Southwest, however a recent survey conducted by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) shows TSCRA members are actively implementing a variety of strategies to adapt to the current climate. According to TSCRA’s Drought Impact Survey, 84 percent of respondents indicate they have reduced their herd size from their 3-year average. Herds were reduced by an average 38 percent. But those numbers don’t reflect a 38 percent decrease in the overall size of the herd in Texas. While a lot of those cattle have changed hands, says Joe Parker Jr., rancher and TSCRA president, relatively few have moved out of state. The survey indicates that individual herds were reduced through livestock market sales, early placement into feedyards, moving cattle to unused pastures or dry lots, or sending older cows to harvest...more