Drought hurts Hill Country ranchers

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- The heat wave and high fuel prices are hitting farmers and ranchers in the Hill Country. 

Local ranchers said they are used to facing scorching conditions in August, but not as early as June.

To beat the heat, some are thinning out their herds.

More than 700 calves were lined up at the Llano Livestock Auction. About 200 more calves were hauled in for this week's sale than any other sale this year.

"I think a lot of that is because it's getting dry," said Llano rancher Ernest Ligon.

Ligon said ranchers are selling calves sooner to create less stress on their mothers grazing in the furnace-like fields.

"It's causing a lot of stress on them and if it doesn't rain pretty soon it will be severe," Ligon said.

He even sold some of his older cows Tuesday to allow more grass for his other cattle to graze.

The going rate for a calf is going down, too.  Each cow is bringing in about $80 less than last year.

The cost of fuel, feed and fertilizer continues to rise, however, which is why Ligon expects the cattle count to keep growing at each week's livestock auction.