South Dakota drought pushes cattle off pasture early as hay, forage supplies shrink

South Dakota drought pushes cattle off pasture early as hay, forage supplies shrink

In parts of South Dakota, a lack of moisture is forcing cattle producers to change plans sooner than expected, as weakened pasture growth and disappointing hay production are pushing some herds off grass ahead of schedule. That early shift is fueling worries about feed supplies for beef cattle, as Brownfield reported. Here's what to know Near Mitchell in south-central South Dakota, Kevin Deinert operates a family cow-calf and feedlot business al…