By Blake Jackson
After a challenging year for hay and forage growth in many parts of the Midwest, producers are heading into winter facing tighter hay supplies.
University of Missouri Extension agronomist Tim Schnakenberg says his southwest Missouri area had some drought challenges this year, but rains at the end of summer and into the fall helped the situation.
Still, he says subsoil moisture levels are still behind normal, and the overall hay crop was less than it normally is.
Iowa State University Extension beef specialist Beth Reynolds says Warren County in central Iowa, this year produced less hay as well.
The drought impacts have reduced the quantity of hay and increased prices.
Livestock producers have been at work figuring out solutions to the tighter hay supply, including cornstalk bales.
Hay quality can vary greatly depending on the drought conditions.
Reynolds recommends testing hay and cornstalk bales to know their quality and how best to supplement diets.
She says planning ahead is good for winter feeding and that producers should buy additional hay and feed now, as opposed to in the springtime when it will likely be more expensive.
Overall, she says it was impressive pastures and hayfields generated what they did this year, given how dry conditions were in many areas for a long time.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-baranozdemir
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Hay & Forage