‘There’s just no hay’: Texas agriculture faces hay shortage, high prices
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Texas A&M AgriLife released a crop and weather report on Wednesday that Texas hay supply is near a 50-year low, and prices near record highs.
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“There’s just no hay,” said Peter Sorensen, Midway Package & Feed Frankston, Employee.
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, hay supply remains low and prices rise as Texas cattle ranchers try to feed their herds through winter.
“Outside of fertilizer costs, then the actual cost of producing hay so it just depends on, it’s a lot different things that have accumulated over time that have influenced our shortages as well as our prices,” said Vanessa Corriher-Olson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Professor & Forage Extension Specialist.
Peter Sorenson at Midway Package and Feed in Frankston shared that farmers and ranchers are feeling the effects of the price. At their location, they’ve been able to get hay but at times sell out quickly.
“A lot of the farmers and ranchers around here are having to go out of state to get it. Prices are way up and it’s a vicious cycle what’s happening through the country though with the economy, it’s affecting the small guys, the farmers, the ranchers,” said Sorensen.
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Sorensen is optimistic about the upcoming East Texas weather for crops.
“Rain is good, warm weather is better,” said Sorensen.
Texas AgriLife explained how East Texas droughts have left an impact.
“It’s great to have that moisture now but, we’re going to need some moisture during the summer when we actually have the growing season,” said Corriher-Olson.
Historically the season runs about five to six months long.
“It’s May, typically until November,” said Corriher-Olson.
This time of the year, it’s about preparing the ground for when the season begins.
“Collecting soil samples, and analyzing their soil nutrients status, because they might need to apply some nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus,” said Corriher-Olson.
It might be time for East Texas farmers to apply fertilizer and begin treating weeds or pests.
“The ranchers know what they’re doing. And they’re trying to keep America fed,” said Sorensen.
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