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Bledsoe Ranch Rancher James Bledsoe on the challenges in feeding cattle as the drought drives up the price of hay.
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Right as we mentioned earlier cattle ranchers facing another blow from the drought and it actually could affect -- at home.
So first up the supply of hate -- is at its lowest since 1976.
Plus it's getting so expensive that -- can't afford it.
So how -- ranchers keep their cattle from starving and keep themselves in business.
Test seems Bledsoe and happening -- in Colorado.
Teams thanks for being with us it -- it really that bad that you can't feed your cattle.
Hey Jason thanks for having me.
Yeah -- it's getting pretty rough what -- we do we're traditional cattle ranch and down.
On an average year we have a lot of range land -- we.
Feed to cattle on the on the range and you have a fixed costs and the reins of grass grows and -- your.
Adequate nutrients.
But as this year things changed and we have to go out and find different -- around which unfortunately is kind of partner due in our area.
So what that.
OK wait so -- -- is about 300 dollars per tonne now this is up 150%.
From a year ago.
How much -- you paying are you paying that much.
Well that that's for certain amounts of feed there's there's different kind of -- you can use.
That there's you know where we're have to resort to even -- weeds and there's some corn that's.
Dried up -- our area that's we're we're -- -- the bail but though the prom you -- there is.
That corn has been so stressed the fertilizer.
Can make it high in nitrates which could be toxic cattle.
-- so what we're we're have to resort to is down we're getting some supplement feeding in such as cake that be a protein pellets.
And different.
Things in the problem is there's there's some cheap pay out there but you might have to go a thousand miles the gated.
In with the price of fuel and everything by time you get back here it's equipment costs just as much as more than rights available there.
OK so have you lost any cattle at this point I mean are they starving to.
No no that's it that's our main goal -- We.
That that's our main livelihood is those cattle and we're not gonna jeopardize their welfare I mean if if they're starting to stress real hard we're we're gonna.
-- -- in this feed yard but that that is how we make our living in those cattle.
And if you stress and now then next year they might not have a path.
-- them right where things OK so and this there's no cattle that we that we lost thus far you don't know of any cattle what you do know that this is getting really.
Bad and that we need supplements you know you mention corn earlier and interestingly it just cross the wires that the EPA actually.
It's looking for comments on the renewable.
Standards whether or not they should be removed.
Now I know.
-- clearly part of these whole renewable fuel standards.
That's eaten into your issue I guess what where do you stand on all that.
Well.
Look on an average year armed.
The corn DO its.
Yeah that's -- referred feeding fat cattle.
Our rates are eriksson's not as important -- that we we grazed cattle are we -- them after the corns picked.
And there you can still find -- is out there but if there's no corn that has grown this year than we can't.
Really really do that but there I think in the next within the next five years is going to be the corn could be.
Shortage for sure.
Things could be impose a made major issues.
So let's talk about then let's wrap this all together for the people at home because if we have.
Well obviously we know -- going up -- not he can't feeder cattle seniors struggling with -- this is got to affect prices at home but I mean I would think grade -- Prices -- all well of course.
Of course and towns there they're there hurt hurting as it is and if it's definitely put a dent in your pocket.
And do what our -- our cattle arm.
Worst happen to send a lot of them out of out of the area trying to find anywhere recanted that had at least some rain and to get some feeling.
And and that it then you had your shipping costs also an.
Right in the fuel costs are big part of as well -- -- so we're Bledsoe ranch in an independent count -- I appreciate you taking the time to share your story camps at.
It's -- cited people didn't know that thank you sir.
Thank you for.
