Kansas cattle producer navigating forage decisions amid drought, wildfire damage

A Kansas cattle producer says drought and a wildfire have created difficult forage management decisions.

Ethan Dickerson of Paradise tells Brownfield he doesn’t want to overgraze new growth in pastures from recent moisture. “They’re going to have to get fed some really expensive hay for awhile.  It’s something we’re going to have to live with because we can’t turn out on it until mid-season and our stocking rates are going to be 35 percent less-than-normal at best.”

Dickerson says cattle that survived a December wildfire were shipped to areas in Kansas and Nebraska and part of the herd will return to the ranch later this month.

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