Drought Concerns?
- Hannah Gonsalves
- May 19
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 1
In times of drought, every rancher faces the same critical question: How can I stretch my limited forage and still maintain healthy, productive cattle? At AgriBest Feeds, we understand these challenges and offer proven solutions that help producers get the most out of every blade of grass—even when forage is scarce.
Drought Dilemma: It’s About More Than Just Quantity
When drought hits, the immediate concern is obvious: less grass. But beyond the shrinking pastures lies a less visible but equally important problem—the quality of forage also declines. Lower protein, energy, mineral, and vitamin levels all stress the nutritional intake of your herd, making it harder to maintain weight and productivity.
This double hit—less quantity and less quality—makes feed efficiency more important than ever.
True Feed Efficiency: Why It Matters More During a Drought
At AgriBest Feeds, we believe True Feed Efficiency isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the key to surviving drought conditions. That’s why we recommend SweetPro: a superior supplementation option that helps your cattle do more with less.
Unlike traditional molasses-based supplements that can actually reduce feed efficiency by lowering rumen pH and increasing forage intake, SweetPro works differently. It activates the beneficial microbes in the rumen, helping cattle extract up to 25% more digestible nutrients from every bite of forage. That’s better performance on less grass.
What Does That Mean in the Real World?
Cattle supplemented with SweetPro have been shown to gain an extra 0.4 pounds per head per day.
Using SweetPro’s MinEX program still provides a solid 0.2 pounds ADG (average daily gain) boost.
Smart Strategies for Stretching Forage
When every blade of grass counts, you need a plan. Here are proven drought strategies that work:
1. Supplementation
Adding Hay, Cubes, or Other Feeds
These options add cost (both in product and labor), but may be necessary in extreme shortages.
Protein/Energy/Mineral Support with SweetPro
As noted, SweetPro supplementation offers an efficient, forage-stretching alternative to molasses-based products.
2. Weaning Early
Early weaning reduces nutritional stress on cows.
We recommend weaning calves onto SweetPro’s Cattle Candi with Stress to support growth and reduce health issues.
With cattle prices where they are today, every pound gained counts.
3. Destocking
Reducing herd numbers may be painful, but it's sometimes necessary to preserve long-term pasture health and animal condition.
4. Other Considerations
Water availability, pasture rotation, and longer rest periods can also help stretch grass in tough conditions.
Bottom Line: Feed Smarter, Not Just More
In a drought, grass is at a premium—but your cattle’s performance doesn’t have to suffer. With SweetPro from AgriBest Feeds, you can increase true feed efficiency, stretch your forage supply, and still see weight gains that protect your bottom line.
Contact us today to talk about a supplementation plan tailored to your ranch. And don’t forget to use our Feed Calculators to see the dollars and pounds add up—even when the rain won’t.
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