Frustrated with persistently low prices, ranchers and others in the beef industry are moving to reverse a long trend of consolidation and planning to open new slaughterhouses.
They can damage crops, but their tunnels can lead to issues with livestock as well. I was reading this article which discusses the pros and cons of prairie dogs. In the article, a Texas veterinarian says there are three or four times a year where he has to treat or euthanize a horse or cattle that has fallen because of a prairie dog hole. That's some expensive damage and an obvious reason for ranchers to want rid of them.
After what I just read, I'm thinking we could stand to have a few more ranchers in Montana. It's been suggested for many years that with the rate of population growth, traditional livestock is not a sustainable option to feed the planet. This seems pretty logical, but one of the proposed solutions is a little on the gross side.
One thing that ranchers appreciate is the abundance of water. I have always been jealous of guys that have live water year round. Well, I finally have some, but I never thought it would be like this. Careful what you wish for.......
Farmers may not be happy about the recent drought that’s plagued much of the US, but it’s been a boon for cows with a sweet tooth — because ranchers who can’t afford the high prices of corn are now feeding the animals candy instead.