01-20-12 *CSU Extension – SECO* Drought Recovery and Re-stocking

As we all know, last summer was an ugly time weather-wise for the Southern Plains area, especially for the native ranges.  Grasses just could not get enough moisture to grow and as a result many producers either culled herds very deep or sold out completely.

Snow cover this winter has brought back some optimism for the next growing season, but we have a long way to go!  The obvious and visual results of the drought are the decrease number of livestock in the region.  The less obvious, and perhaps less visual, result is the effect of the drought on native range plants, especially the perennial plants.

Both above ground and below ground of plants is required annually for perennial plants (i.e. – grasses, shrubs, etc.) to survive from one year to the next.  Roots are used to feed the top growth moisture and minerals from the soil and the top growth is used to manufacture plant food for the roots.  If there is no moisture in the soil, the roots essentially are on a starvation diet.  Their stored energy is used to feed the above ground growth.  If this above ground growth is eaten off by an animal or the amount of nutrients is not enough to promote growth, it cannot supply replacement nutrients to the roots and the roots shrink in size and transport less food to the above ground portion of the plant.  The whole plant is on a less than maintenance diet plan.  The more volume the plant loses, the less strength it has to feed itself, and it may eventually die unless something changes.

Livestock producers should remember the adage: “It takes longer to recover from a drought than it does for the drought to occur.”  Yes, it is expensive to replace livestock, especially at the current price levels, but for the long-term health of the whole operation, that may be a good thing.  We must ask ourselves: ‘Without healthy grass, do we have a healthy operation?”

One other change producers may see is in plant species that are visible in their pastures.  With the possible decrease in perennial grass species there could be an increase in forbs.  Many consider these to be weeds, but they may or may not be bad.  Many of these are also native plants and not invasive.  They are simply filling a void in the ecosystem and may be facilitating the healing process, if allowed to!

For more information on drought and drought recover, visit the Southeast Area Extension webpage at: http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/SEA/ and click on the Ag & Natural Resources link.  On that page there are links to the CSU Beef Team and Range Management Web Link.  Both of these sites contain information to assist in the drought recovery process.  Also, if you have more questions or need further assistance, contact one of the seven Southeast Area Extension Offices listed on the Southeast Area webpage

(http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/SEA/ ).  CSU Extension offers up-to-date, unbiased, research-based information to families in Southeast Colorado.  CSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.