Drought is a condition of extreme dryness sufficient to have an adverse effect on vegetation, animals, and man over a sizeable area. It is characterized by diminished rainfall, dry soil, low reservoirs, water rationing, and in dire cases, widespread famine.

Drought is caused by such weather phenomena as “La Niña,” a weather pattern that drives moisture-rich air away from the American Southwest, creating extensive arid conditions in that region. Normally, the evaporation of moisture in the soil cools the ground and releases moisture back into the air. However, drought breeds drought. During a dry spell, the warm temperatures heat the ground and create an atmospheric high-pressure area that blocks rain-bearing storm systems from entering the area.

Drought can grip a region for as long as seven years at a time. During the drought of the 1930s, 70% of the U.S. was dry. Topsoil was blown away, and erosion was widespread. In the Great Plains, America’s Breadbasket became America’s Dust Bowl. Agriculture collapsed over entire regions, farmers lost their land and being dispossessed, hungry and homeless, streamed off their farms by the thousands seeking work of any type, anywhere they might find it. Most would never return, heralding a national shift from a largely agrarian society to a modern industrial superpower.

In addition to the obvious effects of drought such as lack of water and reduced grazing, livestock are exposed to a wide variety of potential health problems. Lowering water levels in streams and reservoirs cause damage to banks, and a deterioration of water quality. This opens the door for exposure to water-borne disease, algae toxins, foot rot, leg injuries, stress, and sometimes death by either drowning or being stuck in mud.

During hot weather, water requirements can more than double for animals. Although moisture consumed with feed helps contribute to daily water intake, most of the animal’s water requirements are met through drinking water, which must be clean and fresh. If animals do not meet their water needs, they may refuse to eat, causing decreased growth rates, sickness or even death.

Preparing for drought

Monitor weather forecasts. Daily conditions and 5-7 day forecasts and long-term forecasts will give you some idea that drought is impending. Drought’s impact on livestock can be dramatic. Hot, dry weather increases livestock’s needs for water and often decreases water supplies at the same time. Having a dependable water source or a workable plan to get water during drought is important for maintaining the health of your herd.

Water supplies will probably become a problem as drought continues. Shallow wells, dugouts or streams may dry up. Existing delivery systems may be inadequate if water demand increases dramatically. Access to an alternate water source is very important. Some alternatives to consider include: drilling wells to tap into deep underground aquifers; hauling water in tanks, barrels or other containers; piping water from adjacent farms, or collecting and storing rainwater during less dry times.

Work with your neighbors to develop community projects to collect and store water to be used specifically for livestock. Use high-capacity springs or wells, surface water sources, community tanks, or pipelines or canal systems. The underground cistern has been used though the ages to collect and store rainwater and water hauled from another source. Two obvious drawbacks are the initial cost of construction, and the fact that when you need water, it can sometimes be difficult to get out. Despite this, most people that live in arid or drought-prone areas agree that the cistern is the preferred water storage method over dugouts or ponds.

Dugouts or ponds may be used as storage, but bear in mind that evaporation and heavy use can dry up a pond in “no-time-flat” during a drought. As the water evaporates, the mineral content of the remaining water becomes concentrated to the point that it becomes a serious health hazard to animals drinking from it. The idea of a dugout is to collect rainwater runoff, so it needs to be situated to collect from as large an area as possible. Build new dugouts or enlarge existing dugouts to hold at least a one-year supply, but preferably a three-year supply of water if at all possible.

In addition to plenty of water, animals must have fresh palatable food. Grazing will probably suffer tremendously, so you will need a stockpile of hay and /or grain to get your animals through a dry spell. Volunteer organizations usually offer emergency hay lifts during drought years.

Emergency actions

To ease a drought situation somewhat, you may want to consider culling older and weaker animals early on. This is important for two reasons. Older, weaker animals stand less chance of surviving long term drought conditions. Also, overgrazing during a drought can lead to all sorts of health and production problems. If conditions worsen to the point that you can no longer sustain your livestock, you may want to consider moving them to another area where there is enough water. In the past, some ranchers have destocked almost completely except for a few head of sturdy seed stock.

Protect your livestock from heat by providing ample shade and ventilation, critical during very hot weather. You may even consider letting any animals that are kept in barns out at night to allow them and the barn to cool. Shade trees, and pasture wallows are effective for preventing sunburn and for cooling wet skin.

Essential supplies

If possible, you will need to stockpile enough hay and feed to last at least a year. Also, if possible, build new or enlarge existing water storage tanks, ponds, etc, to store enough water to water your stock for at least a year. In an emergency, having some extra piping and pumps around could also be very helpful. By stockpiling these two items – feed and water – you can avoid almost all livestock losses to drought.

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