Gov. Abigail Spanberger has declared a weather-related State of Emergency, to help farmers who have been struggling due to the ongoing drought to get access to enough hay to feed their livestock.
This one qualifies as your latest reminder that, sure, the world is ruled by tech, but, if it doesn’t rain, we don’t eat.
“The drought has placed real pressure on livestock producers across Virginia,” Spanberger said in a statement. “Today, I am declaring a State of Emergency to make sure we can address the significant hay shortage facing the Commonwealth and keep farmers on solid footing heading into the winter. This waiver will help us move critical hay resources more quickly so farms can prepare for the months ahead, feed livestock, and sustain their operations.”
Per a release from the governor’s office, our farmers in Virginia are facing a collective hay shortfall of 500,000 tons – i.e. 1 billion pounds.
Drought conditions have caused a 35 percent loss in hay yields statewide, with yield losses in some cases reaching 70 percent, according to data from Virginia Cooperative Extension.
On top of that, from the beginning of the grazing season through June, farmers had to prematurely feed hay for at least 30 of those 90 days due to poor pasture conditions and inadequate forage resulting from drought.
Many local farms are in need of assistance to ensure adequate hay supplies going into winter to ensure livestock health.
Supplemental deliveries of hay will have to be moved into affected areas in preparation for the winter feeding season to prevent further losses.
The executive order signed today by the governor grants over-width exemption waivers to carriers transporting essential agricultural supplies of hay in any part of Virginia — to speed up feed delivery to farms and livestock producers
The order also provides access to emergency funding, activates price gouging protections, and authorizes additional measures if necessary.
“Extreme drought conditions across the Commonwealth have left cattle producers without the forage stocks needed to support many of our herds this winter,” Virginia Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director Brandon Reeves said in a statement. “Virginia Cattlemen’s Association appreciates the decisive and strategic response of Gov. Spanberger’s team to help alleviate the hay shortage Virginia cattle producers face.”
“We are grateful for the governor’s attention to this critical matter that is causing significant economic harm to Virginia’s farmers,” Virginia Farm Bureau President Scott Sink said in a statement. “This waiver will be instrumental in helping producers transport as much hay as possible in a timely manner to address the ongoing shortages due to severe drought conditions.”
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Chris Graham
