Matthew Burns
Contributed Writer

Drought conditions persist throughout the state and the long term forecast shows no relief until late spring or early summer. The problem started last year with a dry fall and winter which is usually a good time for the south to catch up on much needed rain. Then the dry times continued through the spring and summer months. Certain areas have received some rain over the past two months, but the upstate region is still listed by the NOAA as being in an exceptional drought stage.

Hay is in short supply and feed costs are at an all time high. Producers have reduced cow numbers and tried to get their herd down to a manageable size. Years like this one are good times to reduce cow numbers and cull animals that are low producers and are decreasing profit. Horse owners are buying hay through local dealers and some of those dealers are shipping hay in from the western or northern states. With fuel prices being so high, the freight charges for hay coming from outside the southeast are extremely expensive. Livestock producers are drawing on knowledge from the extension service specialists to help formulate rations using by-product feeds and different roughages. Many producers have planted winter annuals and with a little moisture should have some grazeable forage by the first of the year. Anyone with livestock should keep a close eye on their pastures for toxic weeds because of the short forage supply; animals may be forced to eat plants they normally would not eat. It all sounds a little depressing, but with a little prayer and some hope it will eventually start raining again.