By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

Hay-making activities were in full swing at this farm earlier this month. The region’s dry conditions were evident as plenty of dust rose in the air as the downed grass was raked into position for the baler. -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

June 22, 2006 - When those who need hay in Texas get bad news, it might indicate a good year for Ed White of Havana, Ark. Not that White enjoys people struggling for hay, but it’s the driving force behind his business.

White owns Green Roof Farm in northwester Yell County. He farms 130 acres of Common Bermudagrass. The grass is baled and sold to people throughout the region. In the last few years, 50 to 100 percent of the area’s production was sold to Texas producers, according to White. And this year may follow suit.

Texas Cooperative Extension agents throughout much of Texas said production in their area is down and prices are up. Those two factors have the ability to ignite a host of related problems ranging from nutrition to culling.

“Producers have harvested some local hay, but due to the drought, harvest is about 50 percent or less than normal,” said Larry Pierce, an Extension agent based in South Central Texas’ Washington County. 

Lack of hay, due to dry conditions, is forcing the price upward. Buyers are urged to ask for a quality analysis or buy from a reputable producer. Some baled hay (example shown) is not worth the money. -- Staff photo by Lori Cope

According to Dale Rankin, Colorado County Extension agent, production in some areas of his county is down 85 percent. Low production numbers have limited the available supply of hay to purchase.

“It’s very tough. I have not really seen any hay for sale in the county. If it is available, it goes very fast.”

It’s the same tune that can be heard in Central Texas. Whit Weems, Hamilton County Extension agent, said there is hay available, just not as much as normal.

“We’re probably looking at one-quarter to half of normal,” he said of hay production.

Weems said the area just recently completed the first cuttings, and what was available was in decent shape.

“It was probably pretty average for a first cutting,” he explained. “We’re probably going to be a little lower in quantity and quality.

“I think last year we were probably in a little better shape due to early spring rains.”

Things aren’t much better in Northeast Texas according to Extension agents Clint Perkins in Wood County and Mike Berry in Delta County.

“We’re down from our usual average,” reported Perkins. “(Currently) they are baling about one bale per acre on average.”

“Hay supplies are very limited,” added Berry. “There is not much readily available hay locally. The producers are either holding on to what they have for their own cattle, or it’s already spoken for.”

The decline in supply has sparked an increase in price.

“(Prices) are up due to the cost of fuel and fertilizer cost, and supply and demand,” explained Rankin.

“Hay prices in the area are above normal, by at least double the normal price, in most cases,” said Pierce.

Berry agreed and said hay prices in Northeast Texas are high at $55 a roll.

“The same hay would have been $30 a roll two years ago.”

And while some areas anticipate having hay available for a while, Weems said producers in many areas are already planning for the future.

“They’re checking around, trying to secure some hay,” he said. That might not be a bad idea because in many areas of the state, specialists don’t anticipate a second cutting to be in the near future.

“If we don’t get some moisture pretty quick, I don’t see a second cutting,” Weems said of Central Texas production.

Berry agreed that it was that simple. “Without rain soon, there will be no more production.”

With the outlook for rain dismal, livestock owners must seek hay elsewhere. They can pay the inflated costs in Texas, if any hay happens to be available, or consider purchasing hay from out of state.

That’s where White comes in.

White said in the last two years he has sold hay throughout the state of Texas. Hay is usually cut at least four times a year at Green Roof Farm. White only deals in Bermuda, and the demand for his product has been steady.

“I have sold about half of it already,” he said of this year’s production. He just recently finished his first cutting and expects another in mid-July.

Last year, he said hay sold as fast as it hit the ground. He sold every bit of what he produced. 

“We had calls from as far south as 100 miles south of Dallas, that we just couldn’t fill,” he recalled. Those people went on a list to be contacted and now, White said he has a list of nearly 30 people from Texas who want to buy hay as soon as it becomes available. 

There should be plenty. White’s area of Arkansas has seen a good deal of rain; “too much,” at times, he said, but the big picture looks great.

“If we keep getting the rains, we’ll get a cutting every 28 days,” he said. And even with the increase in demand he is projecting, White said he should have plenty to sell.

“I’m hoping a month from now, say mid-July, that we can build up our inventories.”

Green Roof Farm does not transport hay like other producers. People who want hay must pick it up. Most is sold in semi-tractor trailor loads. And, even though demand is high, White said he will not price gouge his customers.

His square bales, which he said are ideal for horses, go for about $3 a bale. “It’s 99-and-a-half percent pure Bermuda,” said White.

His large round bales, desired by most cattlemen, go for about $20 a roll - much cheaper than the Texas average. 

White said prices do change throughout the season in response to fuel, equipment, and fertilizer costs. Despite the increase in costs, White said he does what is necessary to maintain a desirable product.

“We’re not gonna compromise quality because this is the business we’re in,” he said. “Our pastures are heavily fertilized and we also spray for weed control.” White’s management techniques result in a very pure product that is generally over 99 percent pure Bermuda.

While White’s quality will remain high, Extension agents caution that the quality of hay produced in drought-ridden areas  (like Texas) may be compromised.

“There are always issues with quality in any year,” noted Pierce. “High fertilizer prices and fuel costs are also a factor associated with hay quality. Many can only afford to fertilize their fields once.”

The poor quality of hay that will soon be baled and sold in the Lone Star State has Berry worried.

“I am worried that we could be in for a wreck with the amount of low quality hay producers will be using if they don’t watch their protein and energy requirements.”

To get the most bang for the buck, specialists not only advised buying from a reputable grower, but also to gather information about the nutritional content of the hay.

“In any type of year, you need to get what you pay for,” advised Pierce. “Folks buying hay should request to see the results of a forage quality analysis from a lab.”

For those lucky few in the state who do have hay, Pierce said there are plenty of people out there who need it.

“Producers that have hay available should consider making a call to the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Hay Hotline,” he said. “TDA will post the information on their website for other producers in Texas to see where hay is available.”

For information about TDA’s Hay Hotline visit http://www.agr.state.tx.us/index.htm and click on “Hay and Grazing Hotline,” or call 1-877-429-1998. For details about White and the Green Roof Farm visit www.GreenRoofFarm.com or call 479-476-2183.