BROOKS COUNTY, Texas (RFD News) —Persistent dry conditions and drought are tightening hay supplies across Texas, pushing prices higher and adding pressure for ranchers.
Dr. Michael Vickers, a rancher in Brooks County, says his longtime hay supplier is nearing the end of its available inventory.
“We’re about to run out. My hay source is a big outfit. They grow a lot of hay every year, and we’ve been buying a lot of hay from them all year long. We use it here at the clinic. They have the best hay in the whole area—irrigated coastal and other types of hay. They’ve got some hay grazer that we’re gonna probably be able to get here soon, and other than that, they’re about to run out.”
Danielle Sekula with Texas A&M says drought and the spread of pasture mealybug are contributing to the shortage. Pasture mealybug can damage hay fields and reduce production by up to 50% within weeks of infestation.
The shortage could add to cattle production costs and eventually push beef prices higher as ranchers spend more to feed their herds. Vickers says fuel and fertilizer costs are adding to that pressure.
“The fuel also, and the fertilizer—all of that is gonna have an impact on the cattle market. In particular, hauling them to market, feeding them. We’re feeding cattle right now on two ranches that I have, and have been doing so for a long time.”
Vickers says he has cattle he would like to keep, but without rain and an increase in hay production soon, he may have to sell them.
