Jan. 18, 2006

COLLEGE STATION - Drought continues to prevail through much of Texas, forcing the state's ranchers to sift through herds and sell off cull cows, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

While many ranchers have spent years putting breeding herds together, a sentimental attachment has developed in addition to a capital investment.

"You have to throw some personal preferences and attachments out the window and give a serious look at your cow herd," said Dr. Ron Gill, Extension beef cattle specialist in Stephenville. "It's time to take a serious business approach to it. You need to look and see if any of those cows have a reason to be culled and why you've been holding onto them."

Auction markets in parts of the state are seeing increased placements of heifers and cull cows over the past two weeks. Ranchers are paring down cow numbers to meet available hay and feed supplies.

When culling cattle, Gill advises ranchers to view it from a production standpoint.

"Look at their age, whether they are open or will they produce you income with a calf this year," he said. "Do they have udder problems, disposition or structural problems? Those cows need to go. There is no reason to continue to feed them. They are probably not going to last another year anyway."

Ranchers are advised to give their cow herds "a serious look." Gill recommends evaluating current hay supplies, standing forage in the pasture and altering cow numbers to meet supplies.

With calf prices high, Gill said ranchers can justify buying additional feed to get through the winter. But if the current drought extends into spring and summer, he said, feed bills will outweigh the returns.

These conditions were reported by Extension districts:

PANHANDLE: Cotton harvest is complete, good yields. Wheat is declining in dry conditions. Rangeland is in poor to very poor condition. Cattle condition is fair to good, with ranchers providing supplemental feed. Temperatures are above average. High winds are adding to erosion and wildfire danger. Soil moisture continues to decline.

SOUTH PLAINS: Cotton gins are running non-stop. Winter wheat is poor. Dryland wheat is suffering. Some planting preparation has begun. Pastures, ranges are in poor condition. Livestock supplemental feeding continues. The weather is very windy. Above average temperatures continue.

ROLLING PLAINS: Field conditions are worsening. Rangelands are rapidly declining. Watering tanks are severely low. Cotton harvest ending, but farmers are waiting for available gins. Frequent wildfires are occurring. Greenbugs are increasing in some areas. Soil conditions are extremely dry.

NORTH: Wheat and pastures are poor to very poor. Pecan harvest complete. Wheat is emerging. Cattle feeding continues; some cattle being culled. Hay supplies are tight. Stock water is critically low. Planting awaits rainfalls. Soil conditions are extremely dry.

EAST: Producers are moving cattle to water or hauling water in. Cattle condition is good to fair. Culling has begun. Numerous wildfires are reported. Forest landowners await rain for planting. Soil conditions are very dry.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture is mostly short to very short, with some short to adequate moisture. Rangelands is mostly poor to very poor, though some is fair. Most winter wheat is planted and emerged, in fair to very poor condition. Oats poor. Most pecans harvested. Supplemental cattle feeding has begun. Above normal temperatures are occurring. High winds are creating fire danger. Soil conditions are very dry.

WEST CENTRAL: Most small grains are terminally wilted. Fields show little , or no growth. No winter plants or grasses are growing. Producers are reducing herds or supplementing feed heavily. The weather is unseasonably warm, with low humidity and high winds. Serious fire danger exists. Soil conditions are extremely dry.

SOUTHEAST: Stock water is critically low. Pasture, grazing conditions are declining. Hay supply is low. Cattle are being culled and sold at lower prices. Peanut harvest is complete. Wildfire risk is high. A small amount of rain fell, but the area is still too dry.

SOUTHWEST: Record high temperatures adversely affected winter vegetables; progress slowed. Spinach, cabbage, onions and carrots are being heavily irrigated. Forage availability is below average. Wheat and oats are making no progress. Dryland planting may be prevented unless rain falls. The soil profile completely dry.

COASTAL BEND: Farmers have begun irrigating to prepare for planting. Very little winter pasture is available. Beef producers are feeding hay. Hay supplies are short. Some pond levels are low. Fire danger is high. Drought conditions are serious.

SOUTH: Spring planting preparation continues. Soil moisture depleted on farms and rangelands. Livestock grazing is fair to poor. Supplemental feeding continues. Onions are progressing well. Citrus, sugarcane harvest continues. Cabbage, spinach harvest under way. Soil conditions are very dry.