Picture of the day - November 2, 2007

Last hay crop of the season

The ongoing drought has really taken its toll on southwestern Virginia farmers. The lack of rain throughout the summer and early fall hampered the growth of fruits and vegetables, but the biggest problem was the slow growth of the grasses in the hayfields. During a typical season most farmers will cut, rake and bale several crops of hay, but this year they have only managed to harvest two or three and the resulting shortage is requiring them to travel out of state to purchase whatever excess hay they can find, then bring it back here and stockpile it for use later this winter. Like people, cattle have to eat, and no hay means no meals - which means a premature and unprofitable visit to the stock market for the farmers and their livestock. Today's picture shows the last hay crop of the season at one of our local farms, and it's easy to see that the hay bales are fewer and farther between than they usually are after a crop is harvested. Hopefully most of our neighbors will have enough of the precious commodity stored away to keep their animals alive and well until spring, but we still need plenty of rain or we'll find ourselves in the same situation again next year.   Click here to comment on today's picture.   Visit the POTD Archives for previous "Pictures Of The Day"!     Submit a photo of your own!            Why I publish the "Picture of the Day"