Who is terribly affected by drought?

[Feral Nature]

We are having to almost sell out because of no grass/browse because of the extreme drought we are facing here in central Texas. We have been in a rain deficit for several years now and there is just nothing left for them to eat. No water for them to drink either. I see ads everywhere with people selling their entire herds. Heartbreaking. It is devastating to lose bloodlines we have worked so hard on. Anyone else here in that situation?

[mom23kiddos]

I'm in C,TX, also. We have been feeding lots of extra supplements to our brangus heard and to the goats and sheep. It has been really hard. The only good news is that we are supposed to get El Nino this fall....fingers crossed.... I've heard reports that all we'll be worried about then is flooding. Could use that worry right now! Hang in there, at some point the rain has to come!

[Alice In TX/MO]

Diane,
We are lucky to have our goats (including the ones we got from you) in southern Missouri right now.

Back in Jackson County, Texas, which is between Houston and Corpus Christi, it's a full scale drought. My farmer friend's crop is 100% loss. Thank goodness he has crop insurance. But.... he's going to have to find a job, as the insurance only covers his expenses, no income.

Keep our info around, Diane, and when it rains and you want to breed back up, if we can help with kids from the lovely does we got from you, let us know.

Huggs,
Alice

[Wonderland]

Ugh, I hate to hear that people are experiencing such a bad drought. Honestly, we've had an oddly wet year this year. I have to say, I'll take the trade off of a weedy garden and tons of flies for more rain. I hope y'all get some rain soon!

Took a ride to the Shiner brewery. Never seen so many dead crops. My own land, south of CC, is bone dry and my 10ac lake is down to nothing.

[Bricheze]

That's terrible! I would probably be willing to keep a few of a someones best does/bucks over the summer our of desperation... we have tons of forage left where I am in Utah.

[Bricheze]

Originally Posted by Wonderland

Ugh, I hate to hear that people are experiencing such a bad drought. Honestly, we've had an oddly wet year this year. I have to say, I'll take the trade off of a weedy garden and tons of flies for more rain. I hope y'all get some rain soon!

Me too! in June, it only rained every single day except 3.

[DairyGoatSlave]

were having a bi of a drought, not that bad though. I hope you guys pull through!

[Feral Nature]

We are selling out. Or just about. We will be keeping a milker or two and a couple of pets. I am putting a list together right now and will try to sell them cheap this weekend and next week to move them. There is just nothing left for them to eat. The heat is wearing them out and me out. I'm still milking but fast losing enthusiasm. Farmers' grain crops and cotton is a total loss around here. Cattle pastures are empty, coastal bermuda hay patches that used to produce 100 round bales now produce 10. It is just so hard for me to let go of a herd I have pour blood, sweat and tears into. My heart aches.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29467038/ <---Texas drought article

http://drought.unl.edu/DM/MONITOR.html <-------great map, I'm in the dark brown area of Texas

[Wonderland]

I am so sorry that you're having to sell your goats. That's really awful

[Feral Nature]

Thanks. It is really doing a number on me. I just put 10 up for sale on the goat sale page. I'm practically giving them away but they need to be able to eat and drink. I can take what little I get for them and buy some feed for the rest. I will probably have to sell more than 10 but that is a start. I am selling some keepers and that is a big ouch. I'll post pics later when I get some fresh new ones, I will go out this evening and take some.

[starjj]

This is really sad. Here in Ky we have had so much rain wish I could send you some

[Feral Nature]

I took a walk a few minutes ago, way out to the first tank. It had a puddle of boiling mud in the bottom, which surprised me, I did not think there was any moisture in it. On my way out there, I was surprised to find ant lions living near a dieing prickly pear cactus. How in the world can those little critters live in the molten sand? I took some pics but I can't get photobucket to upload right now, will try again later.

[3crow]

Diane and anyone else drought stricken, I lived in El Paso for five years and recently moved to VA 2 years ago. I know how dry it can be there in that region. So sorry to hear it hasn't gotten much better for you folks. My girlfriend down in Del Rio had told me that the lake looked better than it had in the past. I had a hard time believing that with triple digit days hanging over the area. Hope things get better for you soon in a big way. Take care.

[goatsareus]

this is just so sad, I simply can not imagine having to sell all/part of my goat herd due to environmental conditions

my farm has been in and out of drought conditions the last two years, but nothing like what you are talking about. Our spring stopped flowing the last two falls, so we had to haul water to put in our holding tank. Hay yield was greatly reduced, but we have 12 acres in hay to work with, and only take about 6 goats through the winters..

I am so sorry...

[Backfourty,MI.]

We are not experiencing anything like what You are going through Feral Nature & I sure wish I was close enough to help you. Big Hugs & many thoughts sent your way. I know it must be heartbreaking for you. Sure hope the weather gets better & soon.

We are not getting much rain & really below normal temp.'s all summer so far but will be fine.
Best of luck to you & your family!

[LaManchaPaul]

Originally Posted by Feral Nature

I took a walk a few minutes ago, way out to the first tank. It had a puddle of boiling mud in the bottom, which surprised me, I did not think there was any moisture in it. On my way out there, I was surprised to find ant lions living near a dieing prickly pear cactus. How in the world can those little critters live in the molten sand? I took some pics but I can't get photobucket to upload right now, will try again later.

Your dry conditions was on MSNBC with Brian Williams last night. How sad...

Hey Feral Nature, if there is a way to get your herd to Uvalda, I'll care for them without you selling out until conditions are better. Let me know if I can do anything. We have 5 acres and neighbor has lots of perennial peanut hay at $50 /roll.

I would be more than sad if Suzie and Ruben had to leave. Oh my horrible thoughts.
Paul

[Cannon_Farms]

Originally Posted by LaManchaPaul

Your dry conditions was on MSNBC with Brian Williams last night. How sad...

Hey Feral Nature, if there is a way to get your herd to Uvalda, I'll care for them without you selling out until conditions are better. Let me know if I can do anything. We have 5 acres and neighbor has lots of perennial peanut hay at $50 /roll.

I would be more than sad if Suzie and Ruben had to leave. Oh my horrible thoughts.
Paul

Already ahead of you paul, I offered but they dont have the funds to cover fuel or Id be west bound, course I thought they had more boers but it may not be a bad idea for you if you wanted to expand your herd, ill take one lamancha lol

[Sweet Goats]

I have to say we have been bless with a LOT of rain. We have been in the drought for years but the lord answered our prayers and has blesses us with rain and he has not stopped. Now this year we are fighting to get it bales and out of the field before it rains.

I am not complaining, it is just a challenge that we are having to work.

[Feral Nature]

I started a new thread with pics of our poor, burnt up goat farm. The whole 90 acres looks like this. PICs in new thread.

My central Texas farm drought (PIC heavy)