Our non-poisonous snakes followed. A recurring theme emerges as Extension agents discuss repercussions from a drought. In late October, the Palmer Index, which indicates prolonged moisture levels, showed normal moisture conditions in East Tennessee, moderate drought conditions on the Plateau and severe drought conditions in Middle and West Tennessee. Water sources for livestock are low. Farmers have become innovative in finding and collecting water.
Many herds have to walk farther to get to water, which impacts weight gain and efficiency.
In some cases, cattle are being sold early. Some creeks are dried up. Beef cattle producers in counties with shallow soil, such as Cheatham, have been feeding their cattle hay since September. Fall stockpiling of fescue has, according to Ronnie Barron, county Extension agent, produced very poor results, as has seed germination on newly sown or renovated pastures. In many West Tennessee counties, including Henderson, pastures that were seeded this fall have not emerged.