Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger declared a state of emergency on Wednesday to get hay moving across the state faster, as drought leaves livestock producers about 500,000 tons — roughly a billion pounds — short going into the winter feeding season.

The order allows certain trucks to carry wider loads, which the state says will speed deliveries and cut transport costs for producers restocking before cold weather; the over-width waiver starts on 1 October and runs for 30 days, with gross and axle weight limits still applying. The declaration, in force for 45 days unless amended, also unlocks emergency funding, activates price-gouging protections and authorises state agencies to take further steps.

According to Virginia Cooperative Extension, hay yields are down 35% statewide, with some areas losing as much as 70%. Poor pasture forced farmers to start feeding hay early: from the start of the grazing season through June they fed hay on at least 30 of the first 90 days, drawing down reserves ahead of winter demand.

"Extreme drought conditions across the Commonwealth have left cattle producers without the forage stocks needed to support many of our herds this winter," said Brandon Reeves, executive director of the Virginia Cattlemen's Association. The association, the Virginia Farm Bureau and Virginia Cooperative Extension all backed the waiver; Extension's Dan Goerlich and Stephanie Cornnell said it would shorten delivery times and save significant trucking costs for producers buying supplemental hay as part of their drought plans.

"The drought has placed real pressure on livestock producers across Virginia," Spanberger said. "This waiver will help us move critical hay resources more quickly so farms can prepare for the months ahead, feed livestock, and sustain their operations."

The shortage reaches horse operations too — an industry of more than 180,000 horses worth over $2 billion a year to the state, according to the Virginia Horse Industry Board. At Roseoldian Farm in Virginia Beach, owner Amanda Abernathy told 13News that her roughly 30 horses each eat nearly a bale a day once pasture is gone, and that the price of hay "has doubled" in the past year or two. "I don't foresee it getting better," she said.

Source: AGDAILY