This summer's
historic drought is causing cattle all across Kansas to be sold.
Farmers like
Ken Grecian, who farms in Graham County, have had to sell part of or in some
cases, their entire herd because their dry pastures can't produce enough feed
for the cattle.
Grecian said
his pastures could support 350 cow-calf pairs in a normal year, but next year is
looking to be only around 250.
The U.S.
Department of Agriculture reported last week that the number of cattle sent to Kansas
feedlots in September was the lowest on record for that month, 25 percent lower
than September 2011.
The number of
cattle sold by feedlots to packers in Kansas fell 17 percent from a year ago
and tied for the worst month ever.
The cattle
industry expected the steep drop in cattle as the drought has ruined pastures,
causing dramatic increases in the cost of feed.
