From the Barns: Drought has ended

It has been difficult to get this writing done this month. You all know why. You are doing the same thing, starting early and then staying up late to watch the Olympics. Not often do you get to see TV coverage of some of the sports featured: equestrian events, rugby, boxing, triathlon, gymnastics and swimming, just to name a few. It has been enjoyable, sometimes emotional, and certainly makes one appreciate the hard work and long preparations and sacrifices made by many to perform at the highest level.

The drought is broken — I am proclaiming that after the long, dry 2023, followed by the winter and spring and then early summer drought of 2024. Things are really green everywhere. I feel very good about where we are in the grazing year. That is, we are ready to start the last rotation on our fescue, before we begin stockpiling for winter grazing. We will have that rotation completed before Sept. 1. After that, it will be up to the reed canary grass to carry all cows until corn residue is available. Sometimes that is a difficult scenario. I won’t dwell on that now. More on that timetable in September and October.

One group of calves is weaned and I anticipate the others will be in the next two weeks. We continue to enjoy good results in this grazing year, with no health problems, lower insect pressure and good handling situations. However, the pregnancy checks on the custom cows were below average. Several factors might relate to that: dry weather conditions, age and a few poor quality cows. I always feel like there is an adaptability needed by cows coming out of a different region — environment, if you will — into an area quite different in weather and forages. I especially think that is true for cows coming in and being in fescue for the first time.

The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition September Grazing Schools are coming up. The first will be right here at River Oak beginning at 1 p.m. Sept. 6 and continuing from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 7. The next weekend will find the southern school at Jeff Beasley’s on Sept. 13 and Sept. 14.

These schools provide producers, any professionals working in grazing and all stakeholders with a broad range of topics presented by those who can be the most help to all concerned. Watch for details and registration online and in publications.

Take time to enjoy the State Fair and your local fairs. Don’t overreact to inaccurate coverage of the election campaigning and other diversions that make us all unhappy at times. Keep things in order — like first God, then family and then business — and then don’t sweat the small stuff. Stay safe and sane.