A wait-and-see winter for one cattle rancher

We’ve spoken a few times this year with a cattle rancher named Ken Lenox, who lives in Rolla, Mo. The drought over the summer meant there was no grass for the cattle to feed on. 

Lenox says he’s still dealing with the drought. It did rain in August, September and October, but not much since. He says they’re back in drought-mode, “only there’s nothing growing anyway, so it’s not bothering us much except for the springs and pond water.” He says the lack of water does make it difficult for his herd to get enough water to drink.

His hopes? That there’s enough grass growing again by the first of April. If Lenox has to continue purchasing hay through May, he says it would be a disaster for his business.