Page 20 - Sep302021

The Midwest Cattleman · September 30, 2021 · P20
Water is

Everything

LACY Osceola 016H
ROJAS Rioja 6052 x
LACY Lakota 8105
By Chris Penrose, Agriculture and Natural Resources, OSU Extension

LACY Ozark 017H
ROJAS Rioja 6052 x
LACY Lakota 8105

MCL Jameson 0008
LACY Iron Mike 005E x LACY Annie 020

LACY’S RED ANGUS & MC LIVESTOCK Over the years as I have stock because water is gener-

worked with producers devel- ally the most powerful force
Annual Production Sale oping a grazing system, you determining where livestock

October 23, 2021 - 1:00 PM - Drexel, MO would expect fencing to be the will spend their time. A three-
major issue. As the paddocks year study at the Forage Sys-
are set up, water almost al- tem Research Center in Mis-
ways becomes the major issue. souri showed that when cattle
Offering a powerful set of Breeding Age Red Angus Bulls, Fall If you are fortunate enough to had to travel more than 800
have reliable ground water or feet to water, uneven grazing
Yearling Heifers, Fall Pairs, Spring Bred Heifers, & frozen genetics! public water, this issue is min- occurred: overgrazing close to
imized. I recall the droughts the water and under grazing
back in 2012 and 1988 and on the opposite end of the pad-
feed for livestock was not the docks. In addition, when cat-
issue, it was water. As creeks, tle have to travel long distanc-
springs and ponds dried up, es to water, they tend to go in
options were limited and ex- groups so an adequate supply
pensive, many had to haul of water needs to be avail-
water. On our family farm, I able so all of the cattle can
LACY Ruby 112F 027H PHC LACY Passion 002J rely exclusively on creeks and receive an adequate supply.
LACY Iron Mike 005E x Duff Red Bear 18154 x springs and have developed Water close to cattle does not
LACY Lakota 482 112F TWG Joy’s Passion 66G most springs on the farm for need as much available water
the cattle. The first springs but needs the ability to re-fill
that were developed back in the tank rapidly if it is small.
the 1960’s that had an esti- Studies also demonstrate that
Nick, Callie & Stetson Curtis | Archie, Missouri Dan & Kelly Lacy | Drexel, Missouri mated lifespan of 20 years water close to cattle will im-
Nick (573) 999-3887 | Callie (816) 807-6606 Dan: (913) 909-1912 | dan@lacysredangus.com lasted much longer and have prove weight gains.
MC-LIVESTOCK.COM LACYSREDANGUS.COM been rebuilt except one that How about water quality?
is still going strong. Since the If you have ponds or streams
drought of 88, I have devel- in paddocks and use them
oped the remaining springs to as a water source, we know
Graham Blagg: (530) 913-6418 try to minimize issues in dry that when it is hot, cattle like
Auctioneer Jered Shipman: (806) 983-7226 weather and provide multiple to stand in water, especially
INNOVATIONAGMARKETING.COM water sources in each pad- non-moving, shaded water,
dock. which will reduce quality. Pol-
An important consider- lution can come from erosion
ation, if an option, is will the along the banks of the ponds
livestock go to the water or and streams, and from ma-
will you take the water to the nure and urine while stand-
livestock? When possible, it is ing in the water. For ponds
almost always the best option we do know that installing
to take the water to the live-
continued on page 37