Drought is a recurring fact of life whether it occurs once every five years or five consecutive years. While little can be done during drought conditions to increase forage pasture growth in the short run, careful management could minimize long-term stand loss and help maintain forage yields until precipitation may become sufficient to increase forage production.

Decreasing stored feed requirements of beef cows is a topic that has received considerable attention in recent years. The dramatic increase in nitrogen fertilizer costs has enhanced interest in using clovers and winter annual grasses in pasture systems.

Hay is an important crop in any area where cattle, sheep and horses are present. Certain areas of the southern U.S., from Texas and Oklahoma to Georgia, are in the midst of a hay deficit due to severe drought conditions.