Snow Drought Expected To Have A Big Impact On NW Cattle Producers

Thanks to the record, or near-record low snowpack levels this winter, may producers are already preparing for what could be a challenging irrigation season.  And while that will have a direct impact on growers, it’s also expected to impact the livestock sector.

Lack Of Irrigation Water Could Impact Feed Availability

Idaho Cattle Association Vice President Cameron Mulrony, said the good reservoir and irrigation system that allows those fruits and veggies to grow in a desert also allows for production of critical feed for livestock statewide, whether it's dairy, feedlot, cattle or cow-calf.

"We need corn, we need hay, we need all the things, you know, to make the process work," Mulrony said.  "You know, we have a tight supply in some of our reservoirs. and that could impact our ability to irrigate crops. hopefully our friends on the farming side are making those decisions, where they can put their water to best use.”

Mulrony said the cattle industry is hopeful livestock producers are able to use some of the byproducts of other foodstuffs, whether it's potato slurry or hop trash or anything else and mix that in a ration that then can be fed to livestock.  But, he pointed out, any reduction in volume of all those commodities then would have a price increase.

Grazing Conditions Could Be A Concern

The lackluster winter is not just a concern for Mulrony on the irrigation side.  He said from the feed standpoint, moisture is critical to grow grass out on the range.

“And then with any luck, timing this spring could still have good volume," Mulrony pointed out.  "But without some of that holdover snow, there's always a fire concern in this part of the world. And we see drier than normal conditions. And I say that a little bit of an asterisk because some of the reports are showing we're near or above rainfall for the water year. It just didn't come in snow. So it, you know, isn't on the mountain. It isn't on the hillside. It's already headed down the river into the ground.”

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