Lack of precipitation in Ohio has drastically reduced the hay crop for many farmers and is adding pressure to already tight supplies.
Jeff Magyar is in northeast Ohio near the Pennsylvania border. “I’m hearing from most guys it’s down 50 to 60 percent,” he says. “And hay was already expensive and $6-7 for small square bales. With the prospect of no second cutting, hay is going to be a very tight commodity.”
Northwest Ohio farmer Nathan Eckel says yields have also been down in his part of the state.