By Jim Measel
Jun 4, 2021 | 8:11 AM
BRANCH COUNTY, MI (WTVB) â The latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor still shows Branch County is part of a large area of Michiganâs Lower Peninsula that is considered to be in a moderate drought.
The Michigan State University Extension Service weather station at the Bloom Dairy Farm recorded 35-hundreths of an inch of rain on Wednesday. That brought the rainfall total over the last ten days up to 1.47 inches.
The weather station recorded 1.78 inches of rain in May after only 1.55 inches fell in April.
Thereâs not much change this week in southwest Michiganâs moisture situation. USDA reports 62 percent of the state is short to very short in topsoil moisture.
Forage alternatives for livestock in drought years
Offering solutions to help stretch limited forage supplies and budgets when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Cover crops planted after wheat harvest, such as this brassica mixture, can provide extra forage for cattle and sheep during the off season for row crops. Photo credit: Kim Cassida.
As livestock producers harvest and store forage resources for 2021-22, we may see significant risk with drought conditions reducing yields. This combined with elevated grain prices may create the perfect storm for significantly higher feed costs for livestock producers across large portions of the country.
This article is designed to help livestock producers better understand the potential problems ahead and offer some feasible solutions to help stretch limited forage supplies and budgets. For producers that rely heavily on hay or haylage for winter feed, Michigan State University Extension offers some alternatives that can help stretch limited