Livestock Wx

By the N#mbers

3”-6” rainfall over the last week

The amount of rainfall resulting from the slow-moving storm that traveled across Texas this week. The storm has brought widespread damage from large hail, 70 mph winds across Dallas, and tornado warnings across the state. The below image shows rainfall over the last 7-days. Many areas saw up to 5” of rainfall. Some of these areas were looking somewhat dry but should be back in the plus category after this week.

5”-7” rainfall possible over the next week

It’s not over yet. Over the next week North Texas and into northeast Oklahoma could see large amounts of rainfall-upwards of 5-7” and local flooding. Accompanying the rain could be more severe weather. Stay safe and stay alert out there over the next week.

1-800-691-4336

The number for the Farmer’s Stress Hotline. The Hotline has seen an increase in the number of calls after multiple weather events hit the Midwest this winter and the spring. The calls have been coming from across the region and in particular Nebraska and Minnesota. The Farmer’s Stress Hotline is a free service offered by Avera Behavioral Health. The Hotline is aimed at connecting farmers and ranchers with mental health professionals. The service started in January. (SDPB Radio)

10-15 lbs. below last year

The decline in steer dressed weights from last year according to Justin Benavidez, assistant professor and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension economist. Benavides cited the cold and wet El Niño winter and spring in the Midwest, in part, drove the decline in dressed weights. “The poor weather in the Midwest and northern cattle feeding country had something to do with that [decline in steer dressed weights]. It costs more for gain, which led to a drop in dressed weight.” (High Plains Journal)
Drought kills about 64 000 hd of livestock

The number of cattle, sheep, and goats killed over the last six months due to drought in the African country of Namibia. Just a reminder the difference between too much precipitation and drought is often a zero-sum game. When one area is seeing above average precipitation or even massive flooding like we saw in the Midwest, another area of the globe is dealing with extraordinary drought. (The Namibian)