Dry conditions are hurting Minnesota's cattle farms first

Jun 29, 20210

Seth Perlman, Associated Press count

The effects of the drier-than-normal June are being felt first by Minnesota's cattle farmers, who have lost pasture grass to drought and must consider other feed options.

Minnesota's yellowing grass and drier-than-normal weather may soon force cattle farmers to make tough decisions about how to feed their herds.

While the state's big row crops - soybeans, corn and sugar beets - need significant rainfall soon to stop the deterioration, there is still time to see conditions improve before harvest in the fall. Not so for pasture-dependent cattle in many parts of the state.

"While we are in a wait-and-see period for row crops, we are past the wait-and-see period for anybody who's worried about hay and pasture," said Joe Armstrong, a cattle veterinarian extension educator with the University of Minnesota. "Decisions have to be made before you run out of grass."

https://www.startribune.com/dry-conditions-are-hurting-minnesotas-cattle-farms-first/600072917/