• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Not a very good summer

N

Nicky

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 10, 2005
Messages
3,681
Location
N.E. Oregon
I haven't been around here much for quite awhile, I do check in to see what's happening occasionally though.

This is the driest year on record for Baker County, and most of eastern Oregon. Our irrigation water was short and ran out early. The alfalfa, and Peas/oats/barley did ok as that is where we concentrated the water. My poor grass hay meadow only put up 1/3 of normal :( Some of the nieghbors got less than 1/2 of normal on their whole hay crop so we were lucky in that respect. Hay is going from $100/ton up to 180/ton :shock:

Our range grass was ok, mainly because we always try to leave some behind. Lot's of other people weren't that lucky. One guy on the way to town, you couldn't tell the difference in where the cows had and hadn't been. Some people were feeding in July, don't know how that can pay? Our stock water was really bad, creeks, and the Powder river all went dry, springs barely ran. And that showed...our steer calves were WAY light. We've weaned all the hiefers and the lighter steer calves, so hopefully that will pay for itself.

But it could've been worse! We don't have to sell too many cows, we survived the summer, didn't have to buy much hay, the kennel was full all summer, and we're still here :) And we're still happy to be in the ranching business.

Thankfully fall is here, and we did get a little rain last week. Hopefully I'll have time to hang out here more again and to get some pictures posted.
 
That was a tough summer Nicky.

Where you said"Our range grass was ok, mainly because we always try to leave some behind. Lot's of other people weren't that lucky."

That isn't luck, that's good management on your part.
 
Glad to see you back Nicky :!:

We've been there and done that so we can relate. We're very glad you made it another year....we can only pray next year will be better.

How one manages ones' range - proof is in the pudding. You've done a terrific job :D

Take care, Nicky, and thanks for keeping us updated :)
 
We've had bad summers like that, fortunately, we were used to having no water, so didn't waste any on gardens, etc. Our summer job, from the time I can remember, was to haul anywhere from 3-5 loads of water to the cows, per day, in a 250 gallon tank in the back of the pickup........the number of loads depended on where the cows were, the closer to the tank they were, the more water we hauled. By the time we'd get back with another load, they would have the trough drained, and more waiting for a drink.

On the up side, we saw every cow every day, and they got really gentle. :lol:
 
Sorry about your drought, Nicky. In SE Montana it seems to be an every other year occurance. (The odd numbered years are the best ones).
A wise old neighbor told me once, "it takes grass to make grass", I guess
you knew that, as you took care of your range so you were able to
get by this year.

Bad as I hate drought, I do think it makes us better stewards of the land.
Here is hoping for moisture for you this fall and all of next year.
Hang in there (and I know you will)!!!!!!
 
That is sooo hard. Summer of 02, we fed cake all summer. Hay until mid July, and back on hay in mid Oct. Sold about 1/3 off that needed gone anyway. Some of the steps taken by neighbors were to sell out his cows. He bought solid to broken mouth back in about 14 months, and helped himsef with quality. Another neighbor sold his calves by mid June, and some culls. He was able to keep the best of his cows. I second guessed myself for trying to keep mine, but when the market came up, I was glad I had. Heart goes out to all you folks in severe drought. Guess the southeast was hurting too. Not many ranchers haven't seen some times that we would rather not have. There is a difference between drought, and dry weather. :(
 
:agree:

We just come off of a seven year drought and boy do I feel for ya Nicky.
Right now I can't think of anything worse........ You will become much stronger in more ways than one....... Sweet talk jigs outta some hay..... Make sure and ask if he's tough enough to wear pink.... :D :wink: :P
 
katrina said:
:agree:

We just come off of a seven year drought and boy do I feel for ya Nicky.
Right now I can't think of anything worse........ You will become much stronger in more ways than one....... Sweet talk jigs outta some hay..... Make sure and ask if he's tough enough to wear pink.... :D :wink: :P
Click to expand...

only have one load left!! and it is for sale! pm me if interested!

I wear pink. it is my super hero color! :wink:
 
Were short on hay here also I do have a few fields I never baled figured if I bale them I have to start feeding in a week.Leave them and the cows can graze until mid december if the snow stays away.I called on some alfalfa /grass mix hay today $115 a to delivered.Ended up buying some mixed grass hay that's pretty good quality for $40 per round bale but the weigh 1400#s each so it's not so bad.we are going to sell off some older cows and about 6 horses.I put up hay on 700 acres this summer for a grand total of 925 bales.Thing's looked great in may and then it quit raining and got hot and windy for weeks at a time.

I had a 110 acre's of peas and oats got 27 bales off of one field.Another field the best one an older ladies 50 pairs got into it and by the time I knew about it all that was left was weeds.

Next year will be better.
 
I know we're not the only ones in drought, seems like alot of the country is this year...nice that some other areas got badly needed rain for a change.

Thanks for the encouraging words everyone. We've lived here for 13 years and had have had 2 or 3 good ones...guess they call it 'high desert' for a reason!

So Jigs - any pictures of you in pink? I think the cost of hauling hay to Oregon from Kansas will keep me from buying your last load!!!
 
Nicky,

It has been a year in Eastern Oregon. We are very fortunate that we got some hay and other feed. It is a lot less than I would have liked to have gotten, but it should be enough. We were looking at trying to feed more calves this year, but likely it will be fewer.

I spent some time in Idaho. The guys who lost what little dry grass they had to fire is a real bad deal as well....

Baker County can be pretty harsh. When those mountains get some snow line, it is country to appreciate.

I left a few messages for Ya'all and never heard back. It was during a pretty busy time for you, so I left it alone. The offer to come look at that Rollgate hooking to the Alley Bow is still on the table. Just call and I will set something up,

PPRM
 
Nicky said:
I know we're not the only ones in drought, seems like alot of the country is this year...nice that some other areas got badly needed rain for a change.

Thanks for the encouraging words everyone. We've lived here for 13 years and had have had 2 or 3 good ones...guess they call it 'high desert' for a reason!

So Jigs - any pictures of you in pink? I think the cost of hauling hay to Oregon from Kansas will keep me from buying your last load!!!
Click to expand...


Brace yourself....we'll soon be seeing pics of jigs in a pink tutu!!!! :shock: :shock:
 
Nicky...

I am sorry you've had such a rotten year :cry: :mad: :cry: We know the feeling, unfortunately.

But I can also tell you that sometimes a great year is just around the corner. After a horrid year, here last year, we have had a great year. We were braced for another bad one, as the spring continued so dry, and there was just no way we could have kept the cows here. We had made arrangements for our commercial cows to go to North Dakota. But, then in May, and especially in early June, the rains came, and it just kept raining. What a life saver. So much so, I think we all shed tears of joy. Sadly though, not everyone got the rains. I know Empty Pockets and mrj came up very short. Both live fairly close to us.

Your good range management paid off very well for you. I firmly believe if we had not had our bad grass fires, we would have made it through both last year and this year just fine, just because we try and leave as much grass, if not more, than we use. But, the fire Gods had a different plan for us!

Keep your chin up kid. I am glad to see you back to posting.

I'd enjoy seeing some pictures of your good Herefords if you get a chance.

Cheers---

TTB :wink:
 
about a 1/2 a hay crop up here in the moutain valleys too. We came off the forest only a week early, Still alot of fall pasture till we get a heavy snow that stays then we have to start feeding. Hay here is running $130. We shipped calves today and tomorrow and will work cows the end of the week. Plan on culling about 1/3 the herd.
But the Summer started bad having to watch divers search for our oldest son's body on his 21st birthday.
 
OMG, jody. i came "close" this june with my son, i am SO SORRY. it's not worth much, but for what it is, here's a long hug....from one mother to another....
 

Latest posts

Back
Top