Ranchers struggle with dry pastures, bad hay conditions

The spring of 2019 has proven to be incredibly dry in Saskatchewan.

Now the record low moisture has cattle ranchers reassessing their herds as hay conditions deteriorate.

“There may not be much hay at all this year,” Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association vice-president Will Lowe told 650 CKOM.

He said rainfall, in the forecast for later this week, would be a big help for pasture conditions, but it was likely too late for hay.

“Some of our hayland, some of the yields are probably already determined,” he said.

Lowe explained that ranchers are being proactive to address possible grazing issues.

“Guys are trying to kind of get ahead and maybe pare their numbers down 10 to 20 per cent and get ahead of it before things get worse,” he said.

Lowe ranches in the Kyle area, which is about 70 kilometres northwest of Swift Current.

On his property, pasture conditions are so dry he has moved cows to hayland.

“It’s a bit more of a juggling act to make sure you can try and buy as many days as you can get out of what you’ve got,” Lowe explained.