Via SFBay:

Local headlines have been gleefully playing up that Californians can play in the sun, while folks in the Midwest and East Coast are smothered by snow and ice.

Cattle ranchers, conservationists and politicians, however, are battling over the effects of the current drought gripping the state.

Dry soil conditions are a problem for ranchers, who rely on spring grass as free food to fatten cattle.

To cut costs, many ranchers now sell back a large portion of their herd just to stay afloat.

 Monty Avery, rancher and co-owner of cattle auction house Livestock Market, detailed the damage to&...

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