Ranchers Turn To Feed Alternatives

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) Some ranchers have turned to alternative rations for their cattle because drought and wildfire have decimated grazing land. <br/><br/>``They're frustrated; they're worried

Monday, December 18th 2006, 11:49 am

By: News On 6

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) Some ranchers have turned to alternative rations for their cattle because drought and wildfire have decimated grazing land.

``They're frustrated; they're worried and they're looking at alternatives,'' said Pittsburg County Agent Ted Evicks of the Oklahoma State University Extension Center office in McAlester.

Some ranchers have been feeding their cattle rations which include everything from crumbs gathered from a cracker factory to ethanol byproducts.

Evicks said the extension service is trying to help ranchers by ensuring alternative feeds contain the right ingredients to keep cattle healthy.

``We're going to try and help them come up with any kind of a feed ration to make it through the winter,'' Evicks said.