Dry Pastures All Across Hopkins County

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

The "string" of triple-digit temperatures and the lack of measurable moisture across Hopkins County has pastures on local farms and ranches dry and losing forage quality. Several neighboring counties have already declared a "burn ban" in their area, as conditions for wildfires are extreme. "A match thrown out on the side of the road would burn the entire country up!" exclaimed one local rancher, this week. "The grass is dry and there would be no stopping a fire, if it got started!"

Many local ranchers are already supplying some supplemental feed to their livestock, adding protein blocks to their diet, as the quality of the local forages are low and need extra protein to meet cattle's needs. "I've some big calves on my cows, that aren't quite ready to wean yet, so those calves are 'pulling' on the cows and I don't want my cows going into the winter in poor condition," continued the local rancher. "It's better to keep the cow in good shape and the calf growing, that have to spend even more money after the calf is weaned, to put flesh back on the cow, for the winter. This heat and the dry pastures are stressful on the cattle too!"

 

 

 

 

 

Talk of some temperature relief has local ranchers and farmers hopeful, but seems any rains in the area, continue to "miss us." "It seems to rain all around us, but nothing seems to fall on my pastures," declared another rancher. "We need a good general rain that will cool the temperatures off and soak the ground with some good moisture. We have time to make another cutting of hay, before frost, if it will come a good rain!"

Many local ranchers are hoping for the hurricane season to bring some needed moisture our way. "Generally, you can count on the hurricanes, stirring the weather patterns and us getting some rain around Labor Day," expressed one hopeful rancher. "That's usually when I decide if the grass is gone and I'm not going to have enough hay, and began planning for some winter pasture!"

Meanwhile, with the dry conditions all across Hopkins County, it's a time for everyone to be extremely careful about burning trash, and to make certain that they are careful with welders, cigarettes, and any kind of burning.

 

 

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