Severe drought is impacting local farmers in GA; Possible long-term effects

HARRIS COUNTY, Ga. (WRBL)- After another week of dry weather, the drought has worsened across the South. The latest drought update from the NOAA shows that severe drought has expanded across the region.

The ongoing drought has begun to take a toll on local farmers. Dry ground is making it impossible for farmers to get started this planting season.

Jim Fuller Farms in Harris County has not been able to plant grass for hay… a key part of their farm.

Jim Fuller tells WRBL that if they can not plant grass for hay, “There’s no grazing, and then we have to feed hay that we would normally have available to sell. When it turns dry like this, we’ve pretty much suspended any hay sales just to make sure we’ve got enough to cover ourselves.”

The farm also raises cows and pigs. Beef from these cows are their primary source of income from the farm. They use hay crops to feed the animals all year round.

One way they plan for the winter months is by preparing baleage. Baleage is made from a type of hay grass called sorghum sedan. They are worried that they will not have enough for the winter if they cannot plant now. This would be the first time in the history of the farm.

“If we don’t have enough grass or we run out of hay going into next year, then we’re forced to buy, feed or buy hay from an outside producer, which is something we’ve never had to do,” Fuller told WRBL.

If the farm does not receive enough rain before the planting season is over, Mr. Fuller says they will be forced to wait until next summer. 

The rainfall outlook over the next two weeks shows that below-average rainfall is going to continue….so there is likely no relief for farmers in the near-future.