08/31/2026
Walked our sheep pasture yesterday & it’s rather depressing. It is not over grazed just way more of it is dead and crunchy than it usually is at this time of the year. Usually it’s not like this until I think late December.
These are the years that had my dear friend Jerry stressed out. He was a cattle rancher but it’s all the same worries for any operation with animals that graze.
Back then I didn’t get it but I get it now. 🥺
I remember sitting at the table him deep into his books with that worried look on his face or walking the pasture and how many times he said I don’t know how many more droughts I have in me. His grit, stubbornness, and faith in God would push him through and kept him going.
The decision to gamble for it to pay off or just get paid back (meaning all the hard work & sacrifices with no pay), or worse going in debt to hope that you get paid enough to hold the operation together and pay the bank and maybe get paid yourself if the weather allows and the prices of your stock are high enough, if your animals stay healthy and produce babies and if those babies make it and grow up. Or do you sell a bunch off or sell out? There are a lot of IFs to count on.
It’s always running through their minds. How far do you take it? How much do you gamble? I absolutely hate this uncertainty especially for the bigger operations. The ones that put so much into it building up there herd/ flock just to have to sell out or reduce numbers.
I’m praying for the ranchers/ farmers/ homesteads. And I’m praying for cooler temperatures and rain. 🙏🏼💗
We’ve decided to hold on, brace, & prepare. Meaning we’re spending a lot more on hay than we usually do.