Farmers in the US Forced to Sell Cow Due to Worsening Drought

US farmers in Western states are being forced to sell off their herds of cattle in higher numbers than they have in over ten years due to extreme drought and inflationary pressures.

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Forced to Take Drastic Measures

According to the America Farm Bureau Federation, approximately 80% of the US's western area is now facing severe drought conditions, which have been present for about a year. However, the most recent week-long heatwave, which affected around 80 million people nationwide, has reached a crisis point for farmers and ranchers.

Texas temperatures have been near 100 degrees for several weeks, depleting water supplies and causing the grass to burn, all of which are essential for feeding and sustaining cow herds. Some ranchers claim that selling is their only option.

Also Read: Heatwaves in Europe Drastically Affects Crop Production

Unfortunate Experiences

Large Swaths Of California Under Extreme Drought Conditions

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Since 2011, when they experienced our most recent severe drought, they haven't seen this type of migration of cows to markets, according to Texas A&M professor of agricultural economics David Anderson.

According to an AFBF poll, a severe drought in the West led 40% of farmers to sell off a portion of their herds last year. The problem is becoming worse due to rising prices for supplies like feed, fertilizer, and gasoline. A lot of cows are going up for sale.

On sale day, 200-300 cows often visit the modest sale barn in Elk City, Oklahoma, which serves four minor counties. According to Oklahoma Farm Bureau state board member Monte Tucker, they spotted 1,000 last week.

According to Tucker, a fifth-generation cattle rancher, he won't sell his cows until there is no more grass for them to eat. Seed is being used to enhance the diet of his herd, but it is proving exceedingly expensive.

Tucker stated, "Feed's doubled - there's another issue. We purchased that feed for $200 a ton, and today it's $400 plus. So, the feed's doubled.

Reluctance to Sell

Anderson claims that despite ranchers' reluctance to sell, they are at least receiving a fair price at the market. Consumers may eventually pay less because of this. Consumers in the United States paid 9.7% more for ground beef in June than last year.

The issue, though, is projected price increases. The next two years may increase customer beef costs due to smaller herds and fewer breeding cows. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) anticipates a 7% decrease in beef output in the following year.

Through the USDA's Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish program, farmers and ranchers may be eligible for financial aid. The program pays any extra expenses ranchers would have to pay to transport water or cattle to better grazing areas.

There is one restriction: According to the US Drought Monitor, ranchers must reside in a county for an extended period with a severe drought ranking level.

Governor Mike Parson of Missouri issued an executive order on Thursday to assist 53 counties in his state suffering from an acute drought.

Gravely Affecting Farmers

Governor Parson stated in a news release that "I know on my farm that things have rapidly deteriorated, and we are hearing the same stories from countless other farm and ranch families across the state."

Farmers must be given access to water in state parks and other conservation areas, according to an order given to the departments of Natural Resources and Conservation. Parsons also gave the Missouri Department of Transportation instructions to waive charges and limitations for farmers and ranchers transporting hay.