Drought, high demand makes hay hard to find

[xchrom]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FOOD_AND_FARM_HAY_SHORTAGE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-08-29-07-28-07

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- A scorching drought in the southern Plains has caused hay prices to soar, benefiting farmers to the north but forcing many ranchers to make a difficult choice between paying high prices or selling their cattle.

Ranchers in much of Texas, Oklahoma and even Kansas are having to pay inflated prices for hay and then shell out even more to have it trucked hundreds of miles from Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska or South Dakota. Their only other options are to reduce the size of their herds or move cattle to rented pastures in another state.

"It's pretty ugly," said Don Davis, who raises grass-fed beef on his ranch about 75 miles northwest of San Antonio.

Davis said he used to think last year's dry weather couldn't get worse, but this year's record-setting drought has put even more pressure on ranchers.

[Denninmi]

1. "It's pretty ugly" is an understatement.

Wait and see what food inflation is in 2012. Between the economy, the election, and the general state of the world, by the end of 2012 we may all wish the Mayan prophecy of the end of the world comes true.

[Old Codger]

2. Around here (southern oregon)

We have lots of hay, got about 350-400 bales in barn cannot sell at reasonable price, most have sold off livestock because of economy, usually had it sold in field, this year had to put it all into barn.

[MuseRider]

3. Here in NE Kansas

I got about half of my usual and it looked so very good last spring. Sucks but not nearly as bad as it does elsewhere. Last time this happened people around here were selling hay to truck to Texas. This year I doubt many have any excess.

I wish I had more than I need, I would be sending it down there. NOT for high prices, I hate that people do that. I suppose if it is your only or main income it makes sense the way this market is however I believe people should never profit off of the lack others are experiencing. As much as I hate the raising and selling of animals for food I would rather send my hay, free of charge, than see the animals starve to death.

What a hard thing for people to have to decide. Farming is not an easy job and it seems to be in your blood. More and more will leave and Agro business will profit from it and we as a people will lose big time.

[polly7]

6. We were so flooded up here this spring a lot of farmers couldn't get

in early enough to seed, so ended up sowing oats later they'll be baling. Our hayfields and ditches were thick and did really well, so, while we're short on wheat and oats to sell on the market, the number of bales in the fields are amazing to see. Hopefully, all the extra can be sent to where they're needed. Drought was the norm for us until the last few years.

[madrchsod]

4. oh great...beef is going to be even higher than it is now...

just when the ranchers were rebuilding their herds this happens....

[bvar22]

5. I live on the eastern edge (West Central Arkansas) of the "Extreme Drought" area,

and it has been brutal this year.
Daily temps over 100F daily since May,
very, VERY little rain,
and it was worse to our west in Oklahoma.

To make matters worse,
we have an arsonist in this area who is torching hay barns.
One Barn Fire torched 520 Big Rolls of hay that were already dedicated to local cattle sources,
forcing them onto the market to find more hay for the Fall & Winter.
Hay Barn fires are impossible to extinguish.
All we could do watch it burn and sit watch for 48 hours to make sure it doesn't spread.


The Deer and other wildlife are already suffering from lack of adequate forage.
They are all over the roads looking for food or water.
They look unhealthy & undernourished.
Especially troubling is the small size and head hanging low energy of this year's fawns.



If THIS is the New Normal,
we are ALL in deep trouble.

[4_TN_TITANS]

7. We were able to get 3 cuttings here in TN this summer.

We've had perfect weather for hay and gardens this year. Amazing how things can be so different around the country. (also a bumper year for pot, the state has only had one spotter chopper due to budget cuts. Normally we have 6 or 7 birds in the air looking for it). :smoke: