This winter has been especially rough on cattle across northeastern Utah, an experience being felt across Utah and neighboring states. According to Uintah County Cattlemen’s Association President Ritchie Anderson, the record breaking moisture combined with the cold and prolonged season has resulted in a struggle to keep new calves alive. The national average on calving death loss is usually about 5 to 7 percent. This season, ranchers are experiencing anything from 15 to 30 percent with some areas in Utah reporting losses of up to 50 percent. Sickness is also up. The cows are stressed being almost 5 months into winter conditions. Because it has stayed cold for so long their nutrient needs and consumption are way up meaning operation costs are up. “It’s a double edge sword because we’ve lost animals and our feed costs have gone way up,” explains Anderson. “This year could break some ranchers if they don’t have another income outside their ranch.” Because this is a statewide issue Governor Cox is considering a disaster declaration but there is no guarantee of that. Anderson also notes that beef inventory was already way down so this winter will compound the problem and meat prices will likely continue to go up as a result.
