Selling Cows

No, I'm not selling any but this story caught my eye.<br />n<br />n<a href="http://www.brownfieldnetwork.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=8C8FA7B8-9ADA-A678-0C44A128A5ED56C7">Herd liquidation continues in South Dakota</a><br />n<br />n<blockquote>Herd liquidation continues in South Dakota as the drought drags on. That’s according to Myron Williams, president of the Black Hills chapter of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association.<br />n<br />nWilliams says herd liquidation is especially intense in the northwest and north central South Dakota communities of Faith, Mobridge and Herried. According to Williams, ranchers in those parts of the state have held on as long as they can, but have been forced to sell entire herds as the drought continues.</blockquote><br />n<br />nWe've had a break in the drought here last year and kind of this year but I'm really beginning to wonder the way this year is going if it isn't coming back. I was never forced to sell my herd through the 8 years of drought we experienced but I sure had to cut down on cow numbers. I have worked them up a little but I am still not to maximum stocking rates and I am really beginning to think I need to cut down again. I should finish the year with some grass left which is always my goal, but not as much as I would like with the continuing drought situation threatening.<br />n<br />nThere were some people that had to sell out during the drought around here and seeing this going on in South Dakota now is tough. Having to sell all your cows would be a tough decision but you have to do the right thing by the critters. Letting them starve to death isn't right but it has to be heartbreaking to sell. My thoughts and prayers go out to these Cattlemen.<br />n<br />n<strong>Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees. Victor Hugo</strong>