What's the most challenging part of caring for animals in your region?

[BYH Project Manager]

Every region comes with its own unique challenges when it comes to animal care. From extreme weather conditions and seasonal feed shortages to predator threats and limited access to veterinary care, every farmer and pet owner faces obstacles that test their skills and resilience.

What’s the biggest challenge you deal with in your area? Is it the harsh climate, local wildlife, or something else entirely? Share your experiences, struggles, and solutions so we can learn from each other and find new ways to tackle these regional challenges together!

 

[Baymule]

Texas. All of the above.

 

[Mini Horses]

City folk who move to country but, can't accept & don't know animal issues. Rising costs of feed & fewer offerings, fewer local mills. Distance to limited processors.

 

[Baymule]

East Texas. Too much rain all at once, then no rain for months. 100+ degrees, drought that kills trees. Hay prices. Feed prices.
Custom (state licensed) processing are available. USDA processor, nearest one I know of is 3 hours away.
Coyotes. LGDs keep them away.

 

[SageHill]

I can't complain about rain, but lack of it isn't good.
I guess the worst thing here is the rattlesnakes. The cool season - typically Nov-April/May is good. But May/June-October is sketchy. So far the sheep haven't been hit, but two dogs have (they're both ok).

 

[Blue Sky]

This may not count but my biggest challenge at my ranch in East Texas is the sandy soil. It takes a lot of amending to keep healthy fruit trees. Fortunately I have a barn full of amendment. Flockwise it’s worming. Much of the pasture is bottom land and may have standing water spring and fall. I rarely wormed when I was high and dry, but now hello Ivomec, Cydectin and Valbezan. Also canine heartworm preventative prices There are a whole lot of bad guys that want to live on and in your livestock here.

 

[Farmercharliesblog]

Stuped city people. I once had a conversation with a woman and had to explain that sheep have not gone extinct. I also had to deal with this family that came up to the fence in these sparkle cowboy/girl outfits. They where asking where the cowboys/girls and they had these horrible fake western accents. I gave them a road map to texas

 

[Weldman]

Bobcats, coyotes, wolves, bears, hawks (yes they will pick a piglet up), neighbors. Weather swings from -60°F wind chills to 115°F heat waves, hail that can get up to 3 inches in diameter and snow storms during calving season that can drop several feet of snow. Random wildfires from lightening and coal seams come from nowhere.
Vet care is restricted only to the locals who are "from here" unless you can get the animal to town over an hour away, do yourself a favor and just save what meat you can.

My suggestion, understand you can't control nature, work with it not against it. That means whatever is going to happen is going to happen and act like there is no vet, don't try putting animals not meant for the area in the area and accept there will be loses out here, collateral damage.