Forage growth through the end of January at SFREC set an all-time low of 98 pounds per acre. Typically we should be around 515 pounds per acre this time of year. Forage composition is also leaning pretty heavily towards broad leaf species like filaree which can dry up pretty quick. The chances of having an average or above average forage year this season seems highly unlikely based on history, but there is still hope to have a decent below average year.  In the 1990-91 forage production year forage production values through February indicated 162 pounds per ac and we reached 2,565 pounds per ac at peak standing crop, which was 86% of average, this was the year of the  "Miracle March”. 

Making the forage year look more optimistic, SFREC received over 5 inches of rain over the weekend brining our totals up to about 9.3 inches. While we should normally be around 17 inches this time of year it is a big step in the right direction.

Recognizing the overwhelming need for extending drought mitigation information to ranchers across the state and the practical constraints many producers face in trying to travel for a day-long workshop the California Institute for Water Resources in cooperation with the Department of Water Resources has provided support to help extend information generated in the UC SFREC Drought workshop across the state. This includes local support for 7 UCCE satellite workshops that bring workshop information to other regional meetings across the state as well as support for a few “train the trainer” programs where UCCE academics, California Cattlemen, and Farm Bureau representatives can get support to learn about the UC SFREC workshop material and extend this information to regional partners. Given the immediacy of this drought and the need to quickly pull programs together, this sponsorship represents an effective opportunity to extend information.

 

For ranchers in most parts of the state the 2013-2014 drought is shaping up to be one of the most serious forage situation in memory. As an example, forage data at UC SFREC showed that dryland range at the Center only produced about 40 pounds per acre through fall and the end of December.

On average, forage production during this period should be around 500 pounds per acre so we have over 10 times less feed than we normally should.

In response to these serious forage conditions, the University of California Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center, in cooperation with UCCE Advisors, UC Davis faculty and industry partners, are putting the final touches on the January 29th meeting that will discuss practical tools and strategies for reducing drought impacts on ranching enterprises.

Drought management and mitigation is a complex topic and this day-long event takes a comprehensive look at a range of linked issues including making the most of what you have on dryland and irrigated pasture, the economics and nutritional aspects of supplementation, animal health and making culling decisions, tax, NAP and insurance. Registration is close to capacity but will remain open until capacity is reached. For those that cannot attend in person, the program will be broadcast on the web.  You can register to attend (here) and see the updated agenda (here).

With the worsening drought conditions the University of California Sierra Foothills Research and Extension Center, in cooperation with UCCE Advisors, UC Davis faculty and industry partners, have organized a meeting on January 29th entitled “Mitigating Drought - Optimizing Pasture and Supplemental Feed and Managing Risk”.  The meeting is designed to provide ranchers with information to assist them managing their beef cattle herd during periods of low feed supply.  The meeting will be held at the UC Sierra Foothill Research & Extension Center in Browns Valley.  To view the agenda for the event click here. For those that cannot attend, the program will be broadcasted on the web.  To register to attend or register for the webcast go to http://ucanr.org/sites/sfrec/