As with cattle prices, drought is cyclical. But while dry periods are impossible to predict, it is possible to be prepared for them, said Don Fontaine, rangeland specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture in Saskatoon.
To help managers of community pastures plan for dry periods in Saskatchewan, Fontaine and Chris Nykoluk of the range management section of the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, prepared a two-page Community Pasture Drought Checklist.
Although intended for community pastures, its professional advice is valuable for anyone owning or leasing pastureland.
“A general rule of thumb is that a 30 percent reduction in annual precipitation is likely to cause an equivalent reduction in forage production,” said Fontaine. “The year following a drought event can be as bad or even worse for reductions in forage yield. Our goal, therefore, was to help drought-proof pastures.”
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He said long-term planning is critical: “Maintain native rangelands and tame grass stands in good condition and they will withstand effects of drought much better. A planned grazing system with management flexibility and improved range condition may help producers and pasture managers avoid stock reductions during dry periods.”
Sometimes pastures have their own form of drought insurance. Rolling landscapes, for example, are difficult for livestock to graze evenly, which allows the portions not used in the good years to act as a backup in the bad years.
Impossible scenario
Sometime even the best pasture managers must accept defeat. The effect of drought on pastures with coarse-textured soils such as sand and gravel may be more rapid cattle may have to be moved sooner than usual.
“Producers should monitor the August-to-October rainfall to get an idea of the next year’s forage productivity,” said Fontaine.
“Low, late-season precipitation usually means less forage productivity during the next grazing season. After a dry autumn, five to 10 days of delayed grazing at the start of the season can make a big difference.”
Other short-term measures can also be implemented during dry periods. Where possible, electric fencing can guide cattle to unused forage, such as under-grazed areas or patches of tame forage in native rangelands. This will delay grazing of the native rangeland until it is more tolerant of grazing.
“Another grazing-management tool that will help during drought is the improvement of livestock distribution by herding or fencing out stock water sources to control livestock-use patterns,” said Fontaine.
“And, where feasible, producers should stockpile any extra sources of forage such as hay and any unused tame or native grass.”
