The Feed Store & More in Anderson soon will see a big boost in feed sales, thanks to the cooler fall weather on its way in coming days.
Store manager Tim Scott said he expects to see an increase in animal feed sales this month and in November, as local farmers and ranchers prepare for fall.
The Feed Store is prepared for the bump in sales -- and the type of items purchased -- as farmers and ranchers finish a late season of hay, wean calves and look to purchase some minerals for their grass.
The weather this year has played havoc on farmers and ranchers, Scott said. "It's been a crazy year. It was cold in the spring for so long and then it got hot and dry. We had a pretty good drought. (Now,) with the recent rain and cooler temperatures, I think everybody took a deep breath and took a step back."
The weather has allowed farmers to get one more late-season hay hauling completed, Scott said, leading the store to experience sales of baler twine.
The rain has given farmers a chance to continue to get as much as they can out of their grass. Bermuda hasn't died yet for the season and other grasses may have a little bit more life, he said. This fall, however, as the grass dries out, farmers and ranchers may look to adding some minerals to replenish some vitamins, Scott said.
The store also is seeing customers prepare for fall planting, such as winter wheat and turnips, he said.
About this time of year, some farmers begin to wean their calves. The store sees sales in calf creep, to help during this time. Farmers generally do not sell their calves right after they are weaned. They try to settle them in and put a few more pounds on them.
Farmers like to have the calves get accustomed to the weaning and "not throwing a fit," Scott said.
With an impending change in season, The Feed Store is prepared to help farmers and ranchers with needs dictated by the weather.
In one form or another, a feed store has been around to help neighbors on the farm.
"Within one block, there's been a feed store here for 100 years," Scott said.
General News on 10/18/2018