COLUMBUS, Ohio — A combination of drought and then wet spring conditions may lead to a hay shortage in some of the Midwest. 

“Hay quantity and quality is down in Ohio this year,” said Garth Ruff, a beef cattle field specialist and Extension educator in Henry County, Ohio,

He said Ohio is experiencing a hay shortage primarily due to a combination of drought, wet spring conditions and delayed harvests that have reduced both the quantity and quality of hay.

Warm days in April accelerated grass growth, he said, but cooler, wetter days in May stunted growth, resulting in shorter plants and early seed head production. These weather fluctuations have consistently reduced hay yields and delayed harvests.

In Ohio, hay quality is significantly lower than normal, with much of the state facing a critical shortage of high-quality forage. Delayed first cuts mean much of the first-cut hay is being baled in late June or later, well past its peak nutritional value.

Whenever there are problems with forages, Ohio producers often turn to Ruff for answers.

“In 2025, making dry hay was difficult at best and so far in 2026 making quality forage continues to be a struggle given warm and wet weather,” Ruff said. “A lot of the problems plaguing hay is weather dependent. Some years the problem is hay quantity and that’s the problem this year. Other years it’s hay quality, and we had that issue in 2025. In 2025 we had plenty of hay, problem is none of it was very good.”

Common culprits leading to low hay availabilityalso include poor field fertility and depleted stands.

“While hay is weather dependent, agronomics comes into play and producers need to make sure soil fertility is where it needs to be, making sure the soil has the right phosphorus and potassium content,” Ruff said. “They can correct that.

“Another dilemma is that a lot of fields in southern Ohio have served as hay fields for 10 to 20 years. They’re simply worn out. What’s left is old fescue. Re-seeding some of these fields is where we need to be to improve our quality yields.”

Jordan Penrose, OSU Extension educator from Morgan County, Ohio, and an expert in grain and hay production, said now is the time to assess fields and plan ahead, whether one is facing a shortage or sitting on surplus. First on the list, he says, is re-checking the hay supply.

“We’re seeing mixed results across hayfields this season. Some look promising, others less so,” Penrose said. “But here’s the good news: it’s still early enough to develop a solid strategy. The sooner you plan, the more options you’ll have when it comes to managing your hay supply.”

Penrose suggested certain options to handle having a low supply of hay.

“One could buy the hay that you need to make up for the short supply, or sell some livestock,” Penrose said. “But there are a few options if you look at your output early enough. You could graze corn stalks, stockpile fields, graze hayfields, plant something, or do a combination of these.”

The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture is raising concerns about a potential hay shortage that could last for months, especially for horse owners and livestock producers. This year’s first hay cutting came up shorter than normal, and livestock owners who don’t plan could find themselves in a tough spot this fall and winter.

In a statement, UK’s College of Agriculture said, “in some areas, hay was bailed later than normal, making it overly dry and less nutritious for horses and livestock. In other areas, wet conditions delayed cutting, resulting in more mature, less nutrient-rich hay. This variability means supply is not uniform across the state and is off from previous years.”

Bob Coleman, equine Extension associate professor in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, said, “We’re in a time with limited water resources. In one case, a farm that normally brings in around 1,800 bales only got around 800. That’s less than half of what they typically expect. The main reason? Not enough rain. We had a reduced first cut, and who knows what the second cuts are going to look like.”

“Summer is the time to buy hay,” Ruff said. “Don’t wait to purchase because prices will skyrocket by fall and winter.”

Coleman also suggested keeping hay dry in a designated storage structure, perhaps feeding hay earlier than normal, and finally, getting hay tested to know the hay’s nutritional value. The latter process will help reduce waste and make supplies last longer.

And Penrose agreed.

“Whether you’re feeding it or selling it, knowing your hay’s nutritional value is critical,” he said. “Last year, many samples we tested came back with quality levels insufficient to meet a cow’s peak nutritional demands during lactation and rebreeding.”

“The sky is not falling, but plan now,” Coleman said. “The bottom line is, don’t wait until you’re completely out of hay to start thinking about this. A little planning now could save you a whole lot of stress and money.”

Have extra hay? Penrose suggests selling it first.

“Market conditions in your area will determine how easy this is, but there’s often demand for quality hay,” he said. “One can also consider purchasing additional livestock as a long-term investment. Just ensure your pastures can handle the increased grazing pressure.”

As a last resort, Penrose suggests grazing the hayfields.

“Grazing is typically three times less expensive than feeding stored forage,” he said. “Just watch the field closely so that they aren’t damaging it or overgrazing the field, because that could potentially harm the stand going forward.”

Recent market data and regional conditions suggest Indiana is experiencing tighter hay supply conditions, though not necessarily a full-blown shortage.

The USDA’s Shipshewana Hay Auction in Indiana reported a 51-ton weekly sale in early July, down from the 58-ton average from the same period in 2025.