030138 Cattle Ranchers Worried About DroughtJanuary 18, 2003Denver - As he waited to lead three black, shiny gelbvieh steers into a sale barn, Glen Stevens said what may be the mantra of this year's National Western Stock Show: If it just rains or snows, it will be OK. Moisture could be the difference between Stevens staying on his ranch in Byers, about 40 miles east of Denver, and getting out of the business. He's already sold nearly a third of his herd in part because of the drought. "We usually cut 500 tons of hay. We didn't cut a blade this summer," Stevens said. "If we get moisture, we'll be all right. If we don't, I guess I'll be retiring." The drought that has parched large stretches of the northern and central Plains, Rockies and spots in the Midwest has forced many ranchers to sell all or parts of their herds as rangeland has dried up and hay prices have escalated. Others have shipped their animals out of state to feed in greener pastures. Neither industry nor government officials know how many ranchers have quit or what the dollar losses are. But all agree the situation is dire. "Frankly, I'm a lot more worried now than I was a year ago," Wythe Willey, president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, said. Wyoming agriculture officials estimate about 35% of the state's roughly 1.5 million herd was sold last year because of the drought. The Montana Department of Livestock estimates the state's herd of 2.8 million cattle has been reduced by 250,000 to 300,000. In east-central Nebraska, some ranchers have cut their herds by 25% and 30% as rangeland has withered and wells have gone dry. South Dakota Agriculture Secretary Larry Gabriel said ranchers in the western half of the state sold or were considering selling up to 50% of all the cattle. Statewide, about 20% of the 1.85 million cattle may have been sold.
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