At this point in the year, we are between 8-10 inches of precipitation behind on average. This is affecting all areas of agriculture by delaying planting, poor growth, and lack of forages for livestock. 95% of North Carolina is experiencing a severe or extreme drought according to the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council. Without some solid rainfall in the next couple of weeks, producers could be faced with some decisions to make.
Drought conditions increase the risk of overgrazing pastures due to the reduced growth of that forage resource. Pastures should not be grazed below 3-4 inches to reduce the chances of future damage to the stand. Rotating pastures allow for grazing to be done more efficiently, and once supplementing with hay is necessary, choose a sacrifice area to feed hay on while the rest of your pasture rests.
Speaking of forages, nitrates are another cause for concern. In a drought, the process that converts nitrates to amino acids is slowed creating a toxicity. This toxicity can be deadly to livestock creating a dilemma for livestock producers. Forages that have been fertilized are at higher risk for excess levels of nitrates. Fortunately the North Carolina Department of Agriculture offers free nitrate testing if you suspect high levels of nitrates and results are usually processed fairly quickly. If your forages test high, or you suspect they are, delay grazing/harvest for two weeks after the end of the drought. Supplemental feeding of hay is another option if nitrates are high.
Speaking of hay, the drought may affect the availability of hay moving forward due to poor growth. Keep in mind what hay you will need this winter when making decisions about feeding hay and sourcing it for the future.
We are hopeful that we start seeing a shift in the weather so that drought recovery can begin soon. It will not be a quick process, but any amount of rain helps us get back on track. If you have any questions about drought management strategies or any related topics, please reach out to us at the Orange County Extension office.
