Ranchers selling stock early to cope

CORPUS CHRISTI — Area livestock auction houses have been unusually busy. Ranchers are having a hard time keeping their herds as ponds dry up and prices increase for hay, alfalfa and other supplements. Live Oak County rancher Rosalee Coleman considers herself lucky compared to most. Three small rains fell at opportune times earlier this year to keep the grass on her ranch growing. But the persistent drought might soon have a claim to her cattle. “I might have to begin selling my herd in the next two or so weeks,” said Coleman, also the president of the Independent Cattlemen’s Association. “In the drought of the 1950s, the rains came but at a bad time. This is the longest we’ve gone without substantial rain. Everyone was hoping for a July rain.” But the rain hasn’t come, and ponds continue to dry up. Without grass for cattle to forage, ranchers are culling their herds at auction...Caller.com