How bad is the California drought? So bad that California ranchers are selling their cattle to Texas ranchers–even though Texas, too, is going through a major dry spell. It is the latest migration from California to Texas–and another sign that California’s southwestern rivals are managing the drought conditions more successfully.
Local reporter Gina Potthoff of Santa Barbara’s noozhawk.com reports that local ranchers are taking account of the thin rainfall, and making tough decisions about their herds. “The cheapest loss could be the first loss, since ranchers who sell off cattle sooner have a better chance of rationing enough grass for later,” she notes grimly.
In Texas, ranchers say they have learned how to live with dry conditions. “This drought is separating the men from the boys, and the women from the girls,” said Texas rancher Jon Taggart, quoted by Barry Shlachter in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. The drought’s high beef prices are providing big rewards to ranchers who succeed.
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