Drought conditions continue to persist and expand in Oklahoma, following the La Niña forecast that meteorologists have predicted. Drought will likely advance in the central and southern Plains regions for the remainder of the year.
Warm season forage production is done for this growing season. The potential for winter wheat pasture looks bleak. On the upside, Oklahoma hay inventories are apparently more than adequate going into winter. On the other hand, water, the most significant nutrient, is a primary concern with ponds low or dry across Oklahoma. Water will remain a concern through the fall and winter.
Best management practices and opportunities during times of drought:
• Monitoring access to water as well as the quality and quantity of water.
• Pond cleanout. Many ponds are low or dry. If your budget permits, now is a good time to clean out ponds to improve capacity and water quality in the future. Review Oklahoma State. University (OSU) Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet NREM-9221 covering the planning process of pond clean out and pond building.
• Pregnancy check cows to eliminate open cows (as well as old and unproductive cows) in order reduce inventory.
• Wean calves to reduce nutritional needs of cows and maintain body condition of cows.
• Rotate pastures/dry lot cows/graze crop residues if available.
• Supplement feeding, mineral, vitamin and/or protein supplementation to stretch feed resources, maintain health and growth. — Mark Z. Johnson, OSU Extension beef cattle breeding specialist
