Hay shortages putting strain on Washington animal rescues FOX13
Draught last and a wet start to this year is causing a new crisis for farmers and ranchers. The swing in weather has caused left hay and other feed crops in short supply, and livestock going hungry.A drought last year and a cold, wet start to 2022 caused a new crisis for many farmers, ranchers, and those that care for livestock: a shortage of hay, alfalfa and other feed crops.
She pointed out that the haven's donkeys, Jacques and Ole, are an example of the impact of high prices. Perciful says they previously came to Pasado's Safe Haven from another rescue that could no longer afford to care for them. "It’s inevitable that whenever hay prices are so high, and then we are looking at potential feed prices are so high, the animals are going to come to us in even worse condition," said Perciful.
Hay is a crop that's been in high demand since last summer and fall due to wildfires that destroyed rangeland in the West.