subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sat, Jul 04 2009 
Ag | Stocks |

Published: November 11, 2006 10:11 pm    print this story     

Drought affects area cattle

By Cass Rains Staff Writer

Drought conditions throughout Oklahoma have caused varied problems for area cattle ranchers, but most can be attributed to the lack of rain.

“It’s just gotta rain,” said Greg Highfill, area extension livestock specialist for the Garfield County Oklahoma State University Extension Office said.

Highfill said lower forage feed production and lower hay production because of the lack of rain during the year will increase the cost of operation for ranchers.

He said area ranchers depend heavily upon hay production.

“They are all highly dependent on hay production,” Highfill said. “They’re going to have to pay for high-, high-priced hay.”

According to data from Oklahoma Climatological Survey, the state overall is 12.72 inches below normal for rainfall for the past year, the fifth-driest period since 1921, when records began being kept.

The north central division, which includes Garfield, Alfalfa, Grant, Kay, Major, Noble, Woods and Woodward counties, is 14.82 inches below normal. It was the third-driest period since record keeping began.

In the past 12 months, there has been 16.83 inches of recorded rainfall in the north central division.

Highfill said farm ponds have been drying up, causing another problem for ranchers.

“Pond water is a huge issue,” Highfill said, noting the lack of rain the past 60 to 80 days. Providing enough water for cattle herds is another cost-increasing venture, he said.

He said some ponds are feet below normal levels and others have completely dried out.

Highfill said some ranchers began to liquidate some of their herds in the fall, after months of drought conditions on the plains.

“They’re going to have to increase production costs due to the drought,” he said of Oklahoma ranchers. “I’m hoping normal rainfall patterns take over and life is good again.”

print this story     
Click here to load this Caspio Bridge DataPage.
Click here to load this Caspio Bridge DataPage.

Photos


(Staff Photo by BILLY HEFTON) None/ (Click for larger image)

Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Need Extra Money? Featured Coupons
Featured Advertisers

Premium Jobs

Diesel Assistant...Autry Technology Center
To assist instructor in Diesel Technology program. High School Diploma or GED with career training or related job experi...>MORE

Delivery/Warehouse
Must have good drivers license. Mon-Sat. Paid weekly. Apply in person at Garfield Furniture, 205 S. Grand.
No phon...>MORE

Feed Truck Driver
For local delivery. Need or be willing to get CDL license, farm background & good driving record. Please bring phone num...>MORE

Great Plains Regional Medical Center
FT RN’s $7500 Bonus
LPN’s $5000 Bonus

Great Plains Regional’s & Elk City’s explosive growth means gre...>MORE

SUN LOAN ASSISTANT MGR--ENID
"Check Out What You're Missing!"
"I couldn't think of a better way to start the day than to be at a job that I lov...>MORE

Salt Fork Group Home in Nash, OK.
Part-time and Full-time help needed at
Salt Fork Group Home in Nash, OK.
For more information visit
ww...>MORE

$800 Sign On Bonus
Enid Senior Care is now hiring
CMAs & CNAs with $800. SignOn Bonus.
Contact Tammy or “Z” at 580-237-1973
...>MORE

Ross Health Care
Home Health - PRN
RN Field Nurse
LPN Field Nurse
Apply at 310 E. Garriott, Enid OK
Call 580-213-333...>MORE

Science & Mathematics Instructor
NOC in Enid is currently seeking a full-time, tenure-track instructor for the Science and Mathematics Division. Teaching...>MORE

Bank Teller
RoseRock Bank is looking for a full time Teller. Experience is preferred but not required. Strong math and communication...>MORE

See all ads
More Premium Jobs!

NURSING INSTRUCTORS...NOC
NORTHERN OKLAHOMA COLLEGE
In Tonkawa is accepting applications for full-time and part-time

NURSING INSTR...>MORE

Route Bus Driver...Chisholm Public School
CHISHOLM PUBLIC SCHOOL
Is accepting applications for Route Bus Driver
Pick up application/mail resume to:
...>MORE

Child Nutrition Manager.Chisholm School
CHISHOLM PUBLIC SCHOOL
Accepting applications for: Child Nutrition Manager
Pick up application/mail resume to:...>MORE

Field Technician
Oklahoma Environmental, Inc. is seeking a field technician. To be considered for this position, you must be detail-orien...>MORE

Secretary...Autry Technology Center
Autry Technology Center seeks a Secretary
responsible for clerical duties supporting Business and Industry Services...>MORE

See all ads

bottombanner
Our Partners
Spry

Loading Calendar...
(requires Javascript)
© 2008, The Enid News & Eagle
P. O. Box 1192, Enid, OK 73702
Phone: 800-299-6397 Fax: 580-548-8147
Email news tips & feedback
rtj

 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index