Скачать или смотреть Ohio Valley farmers face economic challenges amid historic drought

A historically dry August has taken a toll on farmers in the area, with some areas experiencing the least amount of rain ever recorded for the month.

The Dickinson Cattle Company in Barnesville, which operates a nearly 5,000-acre Longhorn cattle ranch, is among those feeling the economic strain.

"So it cuts down the number of cattle you can have, so you gotta feed more hay, and you gotta buy hay, and then when everyone is buying hay, the price of hay goes up," said Darol Dickinson, owner of the Dickinson Ranch. "So those are probably the most costly pieces of the drought."

The lack of rain affects more than just the ranchers' finances. It also poses challenges to maintaining the health of the cattle, which can weigh over 1,000 pounds and consume nearly their body weight in hay each month.

"When you're managing animals, you can't starve a profit out of them. My dad used to say you can't overgraze a pasture, the cows will die off to fit it," Dickinson said. "You either got to sell cattle at a low price during a disaster time, or you got to buy enough hay or feed to keep them healthy."

FULL STORY: https://wtov9.com/news/local/ohio-val...
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