Back in December I started getting the feeling it was going to be a tough summer here. Unfortunately, I was right. I'm already hearing that ranchers just 30 minutes west of my place are already out of pasture. While that means I'll likely be able to make some decent money with my new baling business, I still hate to see so many folks (and their animals) suffer from drought. 2009 was brutal for everyone. I sure don't want to see that again.
Last year at this time it was much greener than it is now. We basically got zero rainfall during the month of January. Don't believe it's dry? Here are a couple of "before and after" shots of one of my more drought-resistent pastures.
Here are a couple more shots, one of that same pasture and one of what is actually bermuda....wouldn't know it by the looks.
At least my animals aren't suffering. In fact, I think they're eating better during this summer drought than they ate back in winter when everything was green. But boy, they sure can run through some bales in a hurry. :shock:
And finally, despite the extremely harsh summer, I'm still producing bermuda. Yeah, the production has dropped way off, but the grass that I am producing still looks pretty decent and I've got far more customers than I have bales. My irrigation system was down for over week waiting repairs and now that it's back up and running, I'll start harvesting again. These shots were taken yesterday. I'll bale tomorrow.
Last year at this time it was much greener than it is now. We basically got zero rainfall during the month of January. Don't believe it's dry? Here are a couple of "before and after" shots of one of my more drought-resistent pastures.
Here are a couple more shots, one of that same pasture and one of what is actually bermuda....wouldn't know it by the looks.
At least my animals aren't suffering. In fact, I think they're eating better during this summer drought than they ate back in winter when everything was green. But boy, they sure can run through some bales in a hurry. :shock:
And finally, despite the extremely harsh summer, I'm still producing bermuda. Yeah, the production has dropped way off, but the grass that I am producing still looks pretty decent and I've got far more customers than I have bales. My irrigation system was down for over week waiting repairs and now that it's back up and running, I'll start harvesting again. These shots were taken yesterday. I'll bale tomorrow.