Ultimate Guide: Drought Planning for Ranchers

Drought can devastate your ranch. When the skies refuse to open up and the land turns parched, your entire operation is put at risk. But with the right preparation and management strategies, you can weather even the most severe dry spells.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps to drought-proof your ranch. From diversifying your water sources to strategically culling your herd, you'll learn practical techniques to keep your livestock healthy and your finances stable, no matter how little rain falls. With a detailed action plan in place, you can take on drought with confidence, ensuring your ranch survives and thrives even in the toughest conditions.

The key is acting early and thinking ahead. By putting these drought planning best practices into action now, you can protect your ranch and your livelihood from the devastating impacts of prolonged dry periods. Let's dive in and make sure your operation is drought-ready.

Quick Overview

This guide covers essential strategies to prepare for and manage through dry spells:

• Monitor conditions closely and act early

• Diversify and conserve water sources

• Adjust herd size and feed strategically

• Protect your finances with insurance and budgeting

• Create and follow a detailed drought action plan

Key steps for drought readiness:

1. Set up monitoring systems for rainfall, soil moisture, and forage growth

2. Develop multiple water sources and fix leaks

3. Rank your herd and have a culling plan ready

4. Look into Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) insurance

5. Build an emergency fund and diversify income

6. Create a drought management plan with clear triggers and actions

By preparing now, you can help your ranch weather even severe droughts. This guide provides practical steps to boost your operation's drought resilience.

Water Management

Drought can hit your ranch hard. But with smart water management, you can keep your land and livestock hydrated. Here's how:

Check Your Water Sources

First, take stock of what you've got:

• Wells

• Ponds

• Streams

• Rainwater collection systems

How reliable are they? How much can they hold? 

Municipal water is high quality and is usually delivered at a minimum pressure of 40 pounds per square inch. Municipal water suppliers, may limit use rates or volumes of water that may be taken or they may limit times during which water may be used." - Albert Jarrett, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University

Check Your Equipment

Your water system needs a health check too:

Think about upgrading. Automatic water systems, when set up right, can be a game-changer.

Save Water

Every drop counts. Here's how to make the most of what you have:

• Put float valves on troughs to stop overflow

• Plant drought-tough forage

• Rotate grazing spots

• Fix leaks ASAP

Drip irrigation helps farmers conserve water by minimizing weed growth and reducing disease incidence, as the plant foliage stays dry. These systems can be customized to suit different crops, soil types, and farm landscapes, making them a versatile and sustainable water conservation solution for agriculture." - Verdesian Life Sciences

Backup Water Options

Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Or in this case, all your water in one source.

Catch That Rain

Invest in large tanks (as large as 3,500-gallon tanks) so you never run dry.

Go Mobile

Invest in portable tanks. They come in sizes from 5 to 1,000 gallons. Perfect for water emergencies.

Test Water Quality

Don't forget about water quality, especially during dry spells:

1. Grab 1-quart samples where your livestock drink

2. Label them with where, when, and what time you took them

3. Ship them on ice within a day

Here's what to look for:

Water conservation in agriculture is vital for preserving limited water resources, mitigating water scarcity, and ensuring sustainable food production." - Verdesian Life Sciences

Livestock Care During Drought

Keeping your herd healthy when water is scarce isn't easy. But with the right approach, you can get through dry spells. Here's how to manage your livestock when drought hits.

Herd Size Planning

When water's low, you need to match your herd size to what you've got. Dr. Rick Rasby, Professor of Animal Science, puts it bluntly:

"If the drought continues, cows will be culled and cow prices will undoubtedly decline."

To avoid panic selling, do this:

1. Check your resources

Count your feed and water. Figure out how many animals you can actually support right now.

2. Rank your herd

3. Wean early

Early weaning can be a game-changer. For every 2.5 days you wean a calf early, you get 1 extra day of grazing for your cows. This can really cut down on what your cows need to eat.

Pick the Right Animals

When drought hits, keep the animals that can handle it. Look for:

• Tough animals that do well with less water and lower-quality feed

• Your best producers

• Younger, healthier animals that can handle stress better

Feed and Diet

You'll need to change how you feed during drought. Here's what to do:

1. Mix up the feed

2. Try different feeds

• Ammoniated wheat straw

• Distillers grains

• Complete starter feed for early-weaned calves

3. Group cows by what they need

Split your herd based on how much they're producing, how old they are, and what shape they're in. This stops you from over or underfeeding and saves money on extra feed.

Related: Estimating Hay Costs

Keep an Eye on Health

Drought can make animals sick. Stay alert:

• Check body condition scores often

• Look for signs of heat stress

• Watch for animals eating toxic plants, especially when grass is short

• Make sure water is clean and plentiful

Test your water regularly, especially during drought.

Keep Good Records

Good records help you make smart choices during drought. Try using tools like Ranchr to track:

• How each animal is doing

• How much feed they're eating

• Health issues

• Pregnancy rates

Ranchr works offline, so you can update records even in far-off pastures. This info will show you which animals are toughest and most productive, helping you decide which to keep if you need to cut down your herd.

Money Management

Keeping your ranch afloat during a drought isn't easy. But with smart financial moves, you can weather the dry spell. Here's how to manage your money when the rain won't fall:

Know Your Risks

Drought hits your wallet in four main ways:

1. Less forage grows

2. Feed costs skyrocket

3. Cattle produce less

4. You might need to shrink your herd

Don't guess at the impact. Use tools like the KSU-Beef Farm Management Guide Spreadsheet. It helps you crunch real numbers on potential income, costs, and profit during tough times.

Insurance: Your Drought Safety Net

There's no magic "drought insurance", but you've got a solid option:

Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) Insurance

This is your best drought protection. Here's why it works:

• Pays out when rainfall drops below the 70-year average

• The government helps cover the cost

• Use the money for hay, equipment, or paying off debt

Your Drought-Ready Budget

When it's dry, costs go up. Plan now:

1. Group Your Cows

Sort your herd by what they need to eat. This stops you from over or underfeeding, saving money on pricey drought feed.

2. Think About Early Weaning

For every 2.5 days you wean early, your cows get 1 extra day of grazing. This can seriously cut your feed costs.

3. Have a Culling Plan

Rank your herd now. Know which animals to sell first if feed gets scarce:

Build Your Emergency Fund

Create a financial cushion:

• Save 3-6 months of operating costs

• Set up a line of credit as backup

• Look into the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) - offers up to $2 million for disaster-hit businesses

Diversify Your Income

Don't rely on just one source:

1. Rent out extra grazing land

2. Sell extra hay in good years

3. Start farm tours or stays

4. Lease hunting rights on your land

Pro Tip: Register your farm with your local USDA service center. It speeds up access to federal help when drought hits.

Put Your Plan in Action

You've got your drought plan. Now let's make it work.

Set Your Schedule

Timing is key. Here's a quick guide:

Use Resources Wisely

During drought, every bit counts:

• Water goes to animals first, then crops

• Use stored feed before buying more

• Focus work on keeping animals healthy

• Spend money on must-haves like feed

Job roles

Clear jobs keep things running:

1. Ranch Manager

Watches for drought signs and makes big calls on the herd.

2. Herd Manager

Takes care of animals daily and handles feeding.

3. Financial Officer

Keeps an eye on money and looks for help programs.

4. Field Crew

Keeps water flowing and moves animals to fresh grass.

Keep in communication

Talk often:

• Meet weekly to check in

• Send monthly updates

• Use texts for urgent news

Check Your Progress

Keep tabs on how you're doing:

1. Watch These Numbers

• How healthy animals look

• How much grass is left

• Water levels

2. Look at Money

• Compare what you spent to what you planned

• See if you have enough cash

3. See What's Working

• Did weaning early help?

• Did selling some animals make sense?

4. Change Your Plan

• Do more of what works

• Get ready for a long drought, just in case

Be ready to switch things up. As Tonya Haigh from the National Drought Mitigation Center says:

"Ranchers who used drought plans said they helped. Their grass stayed healthier, and they got back on track faster after the drought."

Wrap-up

Let's recap the key points of our drought planning guide and look at what's next for your ranch.

Main Points

Here's what you need to remember:

1. Watch and Act: Keep an eye on rain, soil, and grass. Set dates for making decisions.

2. Water Smarts: Mix up your water sources, fix your equipment, save water, and check its quality.

3. Animal Care: Match your herd to what you have, plan your feeding, watch your animals' health, and keep good records (Ranchr can help with this).

4. Money Matters: Know your risks, look into insurance like PRF, make a drought budget, and save for emergencies.

5. Put Your Plan to Work: Give everyone a job, talk often, and keep tweaking your plan.

Next Steps

Want to be even more drought-ready? Here's what to do:

1. Create a Local Drought Management Plan (DMP)

Follow these steps:

2. Graze Smarter

Try these ideas:

• Keep your herd at about 75% of what your land can usually handle

• Move your animals around to use grass better

• Don't use weed killers during drought

3. Think Long-Term

Droughts can hurt for years. For example:

• Texas lost $750 million in hay and $3.23 billion in livestock in 2011

• Nebraska saw hay prices jump to $200 per ton in 2012

4. Stay in the Know

Keep checking resources like:

• The Massachusetts Drought Management Plan

• American Water Works Association's drought manual

5. Use Tech and Keep Records

Try Ranchr to track:

• Your cattle online and offline

• A list of offspring and birth details

• How healthy and productive your animals are

FAQs

What is the best feed for cattle in drought?

During drought, cattle feed needs vary based on their production stage. Here's a quick guide:

These are starting points. You'll need to tweak based on your specific situation and what's available.

How do you manage cattle in a drought?

Drought management for cattle often means making tough calls. Here's what you can do:

1. Cull strategically

Start with open cows, old and low producers, and late calvers. This frees up resources for your top performers.

2. Early weaning

Think about weaning calves up to 60 days early. This can slash a cow's nutrient needs by 15-20%.

3. Adjust feed

Use high-quality supplements and well-planned rations to meet nutritional needs with less feed.

4. Monitor closely

Keep tabs on body condition scores and adjust your game plan as needed.

How do farmers prepare for drought?

Farmers can take several steps to get ready for drought:

1. Stockpile feed

Build up your forage reserves before you need them.

2. Plan water sources

Make sure you have multiple reliable water sources. Think about drilling more wells or setting up water catchment systems.

3. Build soil health

Healthy soil holds more moisture. Cut back on tillage and use cover crops to boost soil structure.

4. Create a drought plan

Outline specific actions for different drought stages. Include triggers for decision-making.

5. Use tech tools

Apps like Ranchr can help you track herd health and productivity, making it easier to make smart calls during tough times.

Additional Reading

• How To Start a Farm

The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for any health concerns or issues related to your cattle.