Ranchers report sad selling of livestock

As the extreme drought forces liquidation of cattle herds across Texas at an increasing rate, several Schleicher County ranchers are experiencing depression as they watch a lifetime of cattle genetics leave the ranch gate entrance aboard a truck. Pete Case says having to part with the registered Herefords that have been the core of the family business for three generations is "really pulling at our heartstrings." "With no pasture grass, it only takes two and a half weeks to go through a truckload of hay," Pete said. "We are feeding hay from Louisiana now. It is costing $20 per bale and $60 to get it here." He is trying to hold onto his foundation herd and, at the same time, praying for rain to come before he has to make the decision to sell out completely. Pete's grandfather, Percival F. Case, purchased the Schleicher County ranch in 1937 and entered the registered Hereford business in 1941. Across the county, Ronnie Mittel also is feeling the pains of loss. He has culled his cow herd to the bare bottom. "It is so sad to see genetics that we have nourished through all these years go to the slaughterhouse," he said. "Worse yet (we) will be trying to rebuild a herd when this drought ends, even if it ends soon. It will take years. I'm afraid at my age I don't have that much time." Ronnie's grandparents, William and Christena Strackbein Mittel, left Squaw Creek in Gillespie County in 1905 to settle on the Edwards Plateau. In the mid-1920s, the elder Mittel bought the Allison Ranch on the Schleicher and Sutton County line...more