Are You Impacted by Drought?

Droughts may have direct consequences, such as reduced crop yields, livestock losses, or pond depletion. These direct impacts may then lead to secondary consequences such as physical and emotional stress, or financial insecurity.

Download PDF to identify impacts on your ranch.

Some of the more common types of drought impacts are listed below.

Pasture

Reduced productivity of rangeland
Closure/limitation of public lands to grazing
Range fires
Increased weeds
Disrupted plant communities
Decrease in desirable forage species
Wind and water erosion of soils

Water

High cost/unavailability of water for livestock
Reservoir or pond levels dropping
Reduced flow from springs
Water quality problems (e.g., salt concentration, increased water temperature, contaminants)

Herd

Forced reduction of foundation stock
Decreased livestock gains
Greater disease, pestilence, health issues for livestock
High cost/unavailability of feed for livestock
High livestock mortality rates
Disruption of reproduction cycles (breeding delays or unfilled pregnancies)
Decreased stock weights
Increased predation

Financial

Inability to Support Ranch Employees
Inability to fulfill debt obligations
Decrease in capital
Increase in debt/asset ratio
Borrowing value of land and stock drops
Tax penalties from sell down
Future price/income risks
Watering and feed costs increase

Wildlife/Environment

Reduction and degradation of fish and wildlife habitat
Migration and concentration (loss of wildlife in some areas and too many in others)
Loss of wetlands
Loss of biodiversity

Social/Family

Mental and physical stress (e.g., anxiety, depression, loss of security, domestic violence)
Increased respiratory ailments
Reduction or modification of recreational activities
Off-farm/ranch employment required at higher levels
Family Stress
Loss of human life (e.g., from heat stress, suicides)

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Herd

Financial

Wildlife/Environment

Social/Family

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