Drought conditions create feed shortage in parts of US

Dry conditions are making it challenging for producers to feed cattle in parts of the United States. In addition to already stressful conditions, farmers are concerned about what they will feed cattle this winter as drought conditions in some areas haven’t allowed for normal hay growth, limiting stockpiles that are used to get cows, bulls and yearlings through the winter when forage is scarce.The U.S. Drought Monitor map shows that nearly all of Missouri is experiencing drought, with several counties in the northwestern part of the state facing "exceptional" conditions. Other parts of the state were close to the same classification. Soil moisture is listed as short or very short in many parts of the state.Almost half of Missouri's corn crop was listed as poor or very poor, according to the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) progress report.Parts of Kansas are struggling too, as mother nature has provided less-than-ideal conditions for the wheat crop.In Texas, Lazy Two Cattle Company told MyStatesman that, in a normal year, it would have already harvested about 1,200 bales of hay by now. Due to drought, this hasn’t happened.