Hay has become a hot commodity

Haybales in a South Dakota sunset. Photo by Heidi Marttila-Losure.

The Financial Times reports that hay prices have jumped dramatically as drought in many of the nation’s key hay-producing areas has decimated the supply.

Prices at auctions in Iowa and Illinois have more than doubled, and according to the USDA, supplies of hay per animal are lower than they’ve been in the last 25 years.

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In South Dakota, farmers have been taking advantage of the release of Conservation Reserve Program and Wetlands Reserve Program acres for grazing or haying.

Readers, we’d like to hear from you—if you have cattle, how does it look going into winter? Do you think your hay supplies will be adequate? Have you seen a jump in hay prices in the Dakotas? Add your comment below!