Richland County livestock producers enjoyed a good year in production of forages and livestock. After a couple of years of drought, we needed a year for pastures, hay fields and livestock to recover on. Although markets are soft compared to the last couple of years, the livestock industry in Richland County is still strong.

Range and forage production in the county started off the year with a great deal of moisture. Snow cover not only helped the grass get a start, dams that have been dry from the year before were filled.

The months of May and June saw very little rain fall, especially in the west part of the county. With rainfalls being at least 30 percent less than the rest of the county, production was stunted. Then July came! With rainfall ranging from 2.43 in the west to 4.27 near Sidney, according to the county weather stations, July proved to be a crop saving month. With rain came hail. Hail storms covered most areas ranging from little damage to heavy losses. Some areas saw two to three shots of hail on the same ground. Overall, hail was localized with no widespread damaging storms.

This year’s summer market received less activity in comparison to past years. While in past years the bulk of calves had been contracted prior to weaning, this year they were not. Since early September, feeder calf prices have slipped, but have now looked to stabilize with local action markets seeing a firm market.

With feedlots in the Midwest seeing lower corn prices and wheat pastures now in production, there is support for feeder calf prices to increase.

Overall, we have much to be thankful for this year. Fuel prices and feed prices have decreased from last year, and many hay yards out in the country have hay that where empty last year. Moisture levels look to give everyone a good start for next year for both grass production and crops.