From the Barns: Time to be cautious

I closed last month by telling you all that Wyatt and I were headed to Colorado on vacation. Happy to report that it was an enjoyable and much-needed trip. We spent three full days driving and crisscrossing the state, racking up 1,100 miles driven. Weather was perfect all three days. The beauty part was that we had no schedule or itinerary, could go as slow or fast as we wanted and traveling with that kind of freedom made the trip even better. I could write a book, but the scenery we enjoyed was beyond description.

Mountain peaks, steep canyons, rivers winding through lush valleys, lots of ranches and cattle sightings and much more. God’s handiwork in creation was never more evident. It was all so good that neither of us could identify even one highlight, because it was all that good. Great time spent with my son and he stated many times how much he enjoyed this time together. Made it worth the time and expense.

Then back to reality. When we got back the heat and humidity was making its presence known. And let me say it has lingered on for a long spell, a full three-plus weeks of this weather. Dangerously so, every day has been a threat to man and livestock. I dreaded every day checking the cattle to see if we had lost any. Pleased to say that we didn’t, but you could tell they were stressed to the max. Very uncomfortable, seeking every inch of shade they could find and also every mud hole or wet spot they could get in. Intakes did take a hit, although I think it could have been worse. I went to feeding the fat cattle only one time per day and I didn’t do that until late afternoon and early evening to try and help manage the heat stress load.

We had a week or two where we were getting pop-up rains nearly every day. This time of year we try not to complain about too much rain, but it was borderline at times and very surprising. So, we are still very green here in early August, and grass has continued growing when at times in midsummer we are often without pasture. We are indeed blessed with ample forage.

I guess if you added them up we still have a lot of cattle in total here at the farm, but it sure seems a lot quieter than normal. Numbers are down, certainly, as we just have not replaced cattle shipped out with new cattle. Multiple reasons for that, but in a few months our cattle on feed numbers will be way down. Hopefully, when fall weaning kicks in, we can get back in the game. The prices for what these feeder cattle are costing and what fat cattle are bringing seems dangerously crazy. I would say to some degree it is madness, and as good as it seems there is so much risk involved that all cattle producers need to be cautious when making buying and selling decisions. We are enjoying great feed prices, so the cost to put on pounds is one area for right now than we can gain some comfort and confidence in. Takes some of the pressure off.

With this terrible heat I have been trying to take advantage of air-conditioning and work in the office as much as possible. I am way behind as usual with bookwork and lot closeouts. Also catching up on Environmental Quality Incentives Program recordkeeping that has been completed and what is yet to be done. We also have some other plans in the works, so a lot of planning and discussions related to those have kept me in the office for good reason. Still things to be done outside and the other guys have been working on things like fencing projects and manure hauling. We will keep marching on and check things off the list as we get them done, hoping for a good month ahead. Have had some relief from the heat the last few days and praying for more of that each and every day.

Jeff Beasley

Creal Springs, Ill.