The severe drought has taken its toll not only on farmers but cattle ranchers as well.  At the Western Slope Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction in Loma recently, the drought has brought a higher than normal sale of cattle this year.  These conditions have forced ranchers to sell off as many head of cattle as they can.  The drought has hurt ranchers statewide but has been particularly critical on the Western Slope.  Despite the run on cattle,  auction officials say beef prices are relatively stable mostly because large companies are buying the livestock and relocating them to where there is extra feed.