A livestock specialist with the University of Missouri Extension says producers in west-central Missouri started baling hay in the last week.

But Gene Schmitz tells Brownfield the continued dry conditions haven’t helped the yield for the first cutting.

“I’ve talked to some producers who are estimating their hay crop is 25% of normal and that’s probably not going to be the exception.”

Schmitz says the consistency of managing dry fields will be important for future cuttings, along with getting much needed moisture.

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