Challenges and Opportunities in Cattle Feeding: A Nebraska Perspective

Snowfall has been sparse across Nebraska this winter, but a cattleman said the lack of snow has made for “beautiful cattle feeding” conditions.

Craig Uden, a fourth-generation cattleman and part-owner of Darr Feedlot in Central Nebraska, mentioned that there have only been about six inches of snow all winter long. Despite the lack of snow, Uden said the weather has been “wonderful for cattle feeding conditions.”

La Niña similar to 2022 causing concern

As the winter continues with a La Niña weather pattern, Uden expressed uncertainty about the amount of rainfall in the upcoming spring and summer months. He noted that the current year’s La Niña weather is resembling the conditions of the previous year. During the La Niña in 2022, Nebraska experienced severe drought conditions.

Uden recalled that the drought was so severe in 2022 that he had to wean calves on his cow/calf operation in July and August, much earlier than usual. This led to the selling of a significant number of cull cows. As a result, Uden now has a young and smaller cow herd than before.

Looking ahead, Uden expressed hope for ample rainfall between now and May to alleviate drought conditions and improve grass growth, which would enable him to keep more heifers on his operation.

Finding grass in Nebraska a concern

Uden emphasized the challenge of finding sufficient grass for cattle grazing in Nebraska. Due to poor pasture conditions and other factors like labor issues and opportunity costs, keeping additional heifers on his operation poses a significant dilemma.

The dry summer of the previous year led to an increased depletion of grass resources, making it challenging for cattlemen to find suitable pastures for their cattle. The latest drought monitor map indicates that a large portion of Nebraska is experiencing varying levels of drought stress.

Should dry conditions persist, Uden mentioned exploring options in Kansas for grazing his cattle. However, for now, he plans to keep the cattle on his operation due to favorable subsoil conditions.

Water a concern as ‘chronically dry period’ continues

In addition to the challenges related to grass availability, Uden highlighted the growing concern over water scarcity if Nebraska continues to experience a lack of rainfall. While Nebraska typically has sufficient water resources, the ongoing dry pattern over the past few decades has strained water availability.

Uden pointed out that neighboring states, like Kansas, faced water shortages despite having grass for cattle due to inadequate rainfall. He stressed the importance of balancing water and grass resources for sustainable cattle feeding practices.

Despite the challenges, Uden remains optimistic about the current subsoil moisture levels on his operation and the relatively calm winter weather. While more rain is needed, he is grateful for the absence of extreme winds this year.