AMARILLO, Texas (RFD News) — Texas Panhandle cattle producers are entering fall after drought left little summer grazing available. Texas Cattle Feeders Association Chairman Laphe LaRoe says forage conditions across parts of the region deteriorated badly during the growing season.
LaRoe, Director of Operations with Smith Cattle Company in Amarillo, says summer grazing was close to nonexistent in some areas. Visitors traveling through the region recently told him the landscape looked more like winter than late summer.
Recent rainfall has improved conditions, but it arrived too late to restore much summer forage. The moisture could still help establish wheat pasture, providing an important fall and winter grazing option for cattle producers.
Limited pasture also increases pressure on hay supplies and raises feeding costs when cattle cannot remain on grass. Cow-calf operators are especially dependent on forage availability to maintain herds.
Producers will now watch fall rainfall and wheat development closely as they plan winter feed and grazing needs.
