Just when you think maybe the economy will ease up on the cost of horse-owning, we get a major drought, resulting in the smallest hay crop in a century. Not where we are in Northern Colorado, it’s mostly down in Texas. But we’re in the manure too because all the available hay here is going there. And I do mean all of it.
My barn owner let boarders know this week about the situation. She called to order, from three different suppliers, and it was all gone. No hay! It has been sold standing in the field. So no worries about rain, hail, storage, delivery…what hay farmer could say no?
As a result, we’re looking at a $50/month increase in board. For the cattle ranchers in Texas, at least they’ll be able to pass along some of their costs to consumers at the supermarket, when they get a hankering for a steak or a burger. But horse owners are just going to have to eat cow pies on this one.
This drought is terrible.down here but I had no idea it had ramifications so far north…
It’s been sort of a whirlwind of panic around here as people try to ensure they can feed their animals. I am fully expecting to be supplementing my horse’s ration with some grain this year, because prices will only rise as the winter sets in. My barn owner is trying to stockpile hay now. That said, if you’re in TX I heard hay is going for $20/bale down there!!