Robbin and Lee took a load of hay to the Paregien Ranch yesterday to check on the condition of our cows and calves as well as the feed. On the first of March we measured 1.68″ of rain with temperatures in the 70s since—ideal grass-growing weather, one would think, except that the Paregien Ranch has only received 4.5″ this season. The ground is dry, competing with the grass, absorbing every drop.
It was a comment on our March 1st, ‘Our Window’ post that “Drought is the worst limbo” that’s become richer since, the waiting and indecision the past two weeks, branding calves as if by some miracle we might yet have a grass season.
We have a program for our cows that fits this particular ranch most all the time. Out of limbo, it’s now apparent that we won’t have enough dry feed to carry our cows through the summer and fall. More than likely, we’ll wean the calves early and cull the cows heavily at that time, ending this grass season with about half the cows we began with in September. Hopefully we’ll have enough stock water to support them. We will have to monitor conditions closely, as that will determine when we begin to wean. Robbin returned with photos that show some improvement in feed and flesh while I stayed home to assemble our tax information.
The photo above is the remains of Effie Hilliard’s rock fireplace on the Paregien Ranch that overlooks Antelope Valley and Woodlake beyond.
Great Western Divide – March 14, 2014
drycrikjournal 