Hay production lower in Missouri
6/20/2023 12:25:54 PM
CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
Plants & Wildlife
AFFECTED AREAS:
Missouri
Callaway County, MO
Cole County, MO
Cooper County, MO
Gasconade County, MO
Moniteau County, MO
Start Date: 9/1/2022
- End Date: 6/18/2023
With drought affecting most of Missouri, hay production has been one-third of normal, and pastures were not doing well. Farmers were low on hay after drought in 2022, then a cold spell in December and high fertilizer prices did not help hay supplies. Hay is expensive locally. Last year’s drought damaged pastures’ root systems. Hay and pasture currently were not of good quality, but hay was still costly. One farmer was selling equipment to be able to afford hay. Dry conditions meant that farmers began feeding hay in May and June, when livestock would not normally need hay until November, but pastures were dry rather than lush with grass.
Missouri farmers were downsizing their cattle herds before drought conditions take a toll on them to help extend existing hay supplies into next spring. One sale barn sold cows from 2 p.m. until 7 a.m., instead of the usual ending time of 6 p.m.
Jefferson City News Tribune (Mo.), June 18, 2023
Sources
