Potential hay shortage

We made a third of what we normally make (NE Derbyshire) and absolutely no growth for a 2nd cut.

The cows have been fed most of this summer and whilst I know its not the same all over the country, when we sell our hay it's to local people, most people in know don't buy from bigger companies but won't have a choice this year.

Straw yield is also down considerably so this will be going for stock and I'll be buying in pellets or shavings.

I completely agree with don't panic buy above what you need, but if you have the means and storage do prepare. I do this every year anyway but will also be buying my winter store of grass pellets as a couple of years ago I couldn't get any after about Christmas
 
I can only store a max of 20 small bales at a time so everyone panic buying & storing 100s has me stressed. I have a usual hay supplier & hes not taking on new clients, but seriously down on his yield. Nobody around here sells wrapped rounds of hay in which case I could have a pile & roll them to the field if needed, but no luck there 😔
 
I have a friend in an area of the country where there have already been two cuts. Their grass is long and lush and she has haylage stored ready in the barn. I’m going to send her everything I can turn away and if necessary send the rest at the end of the winter (Feb/March) and drive down weekends only to ride.

Our supplier here is no longer taking on new customers.
 
I'm really, really hoping we get the forecasted rain this week, if we can still get some grass this autumn it will massively help. Our hay prices have gone up 60% and I don't think the farmer is being greedy but it's a huge hike to have to cover especially if you're feeding hay for an extra 6+ months that you normally don't need to.

I think there will be other knock on implications just in the horse industry e.g. I've already cut back on competing and haven't gone to champs etc that I normally would, my competing and training budget is now my hay budget.
 
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