(WKYT) – After this spring’s dry conditions and heavy rainfall to start the summer, hay production has been impacted for many farms.
University of Kentucky Extension Horse Specialist Dr. Bob Coleman is advising horse owners to plan ahead this year. Coleman says the first cut of hay this summer came up much shorter than normal.
“Some of the producers that I’ve talked to had a very significant decrease in their first cutting, at 45 to 50% of what they would have got last year. I think that there’s certainly a lot more of that, and it doesn’t have to be as dramatic as that, but if you think about it, if you’re used to getting 100 bales, and now we’re only getting 75 or 80, that’s a significant reduction,” said Coleman. “While we did have lots of rain in certain parts of the state over the last couple of weeks, I think the ground’s still kind of dry in places or dried out pretty fast.”
The problem is sporadic, with varying seasonal rainfall across the state. Mark Conley is the owner and head trainer at the Concord Equestrian Center at Red Maple Farm. He pays close attention to hay production in the area.
“I don’t grow hay on my property. I have horses, and I always have to depend on the farmers, and the farmers have to depend on the weather,” said Conley. “I’ve had one farmer tell me that it’s been… they’ve had a pretty good first cutting, and then I’ve had another farmer that’s told me that they’ve had a horrible cutting. So it’s just a matter of where you are located in Kentucky to get lucky enough to have the rainfall on you and not too much and not too little.”
Conley goes through around 3,000 bales a year and is crossing his fingers for decent weather this summer.
“We could have like a lot of rain in August and July, and that will be great,” said Conley. “If it’s too much rain and they cut, then everything that lies on the ground and gets wet is no good. It has to be baled up for cows only. So horses can’t handle what cows can eat. So there’s a balance there.”
There may be hay available now, but supply could be an issue by winter. Hay is a commodity that travels, so local supplies could be shipped out of the state if the price is right.
“I think the bottom line for me is that this is something that, at this time of year, when we’re starting to produce hay, this is the time that those who are going to be using it need to start making plans and making arrangements to have what they need going forward,” said Coleman. “It needs to be more forward-thinking and a little less reactive.”
Coleman is urging horse owners to calculate exactly how much hay is needed, stock up now, and figure out storage solutions. You can also get hay tested to know its nutritional value and reduce waste. Low rainfall in some areas could also mean less pasture, so prepare to start feeding hay earlier than usual.