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| Kentucky Farm Bureau tries to help livestock producers |
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By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Summer did not leave without a fight as record temperatures were reported in Kentucky late last month, however the rain from last week and return to normal temperatures didn’t make much of a dent in drought conditions.
Farmers are now scrambling to find ways to keep their livestock fed through winter months as the lack of rainfall has created a lack of sustainable hay supplies.
With that in mind, Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) is working to help livestock producers stave off large scale liquidations because of drought-damaged pastures and hay shortages.
KFB has opened a portion of its website to distribute alternative livestock nutrition information along with a listing of feed supply retailers throughout the state to help producers find the necessary means to get their herds through the winter months.
The feeding information was gathered by University of Kentucky livestock extension specialists Dr. John Johns and Kenny Burdine and suggests that cattle producers adapt their winter feeding practices to the fact that good quality hay, which is normally the wintertime feed of choice for most beef producers, may be unavailable, or at least extremely expensive, this year.
“Since hay was short coming into this year, cattle producers are starting to get nervous about winter feeding,” said Burdine. “Those who aren’t nervous should probably start thinking ahead, because winter is just around the corner.”
Burdine also suggested a couple of ways to make up for the expected shortfall; one being to purchase additional feed and the other is to lower the amount of feed needed from outside sources.
He suggested stockpiling fescue as an easy way to delay winter hay feeding since it doesn’t grow much in summer, but picks up normally in September.
“By all means, don’t waste any forage this fall,” said Burdine. “Rotational grazing can double forage utilization and stretch additional grazing days out of your pastures.”
Another option offered by Burdine is fall fertilization for additional growth this fall. He said with adequate moisture, fall response to fertilizer is good and can stretch out the grazing season.
“However, with nitrogen prices as high as they are, I would make certain that I was strip or rotationally grazing this growth to get the most nutrients to my cattle for the money I spent,” said Burdine.
For many producers, grain-based feeds or other alternative supplies will be the answer to their dilemma and to further assist in the search for feed alternatives, KFB is compiling lists of suppliers from national agribusiness firms, regional cooperatives and smaller local grain and feed dealers. Those lists will be added to the website as they become available.
KFB is also helping extension officials circulate the new UK guidance to as many farmers as possible, using all available means. Besides their website, the organization is handing out printed copies at county board meetings, and is taking part in local and regional field days to quickly contact producers in all parts of Kentucky.
KFB President Marshall Coyle said helping farmers survive this year’s drought has both short- and long-term implications for Kentucky’s ag economy.
“We’ve invested considerable money and effort in expanding our livestock production capacity in recent years to help offset losses in tobacco income,” Coyle said. “It’s imperative that our hard-earned progress not be derailed by this year’s tough weather trends. We will do everything we can to help farmers get through this disaster and keep our livestock sector growing into the future.”
Last month KFB made a request to then-USDA Secretary Mike Johanns to include Kentucky in a disaster declaration. (Johanns announced his resignation from the post on Sept. 20.)
Coyle wrote in the request, “Livestock production contributes a significant portion of cash receipts to the farm economy in Kentucky and is a vital segment of our Commonwealth’s economy. Assistance made available to Kentucky farmers during this time of drought will help producers survive this calamity and regain a sound financial footing for the future.”
The organization also has requested that USDA, Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher and the state’s Congressional Delegation look for ways to provide immediate direct financial assistance to farmers.
For drought information, visit the KFB website at www.kyfb.com/fed
eration/home.asp |
| 10/3/2007 |
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