Orange County farmers facing crop losses, hay shortages

Orange County farmers have had a tough year already and without significant rain may face an unusually heavy loss of crops, county agriculture officials say.

Karen McAdams, an Orange County-based extension agent for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, said some parts of the county have only had a half-inch of rain since the first of July.

“It’s rough on people and rough on animals,” McAdams said. “But most farmers are pretty prepared and make sure they have enough water and shade. The big concern is the feed supply. Pastures are drying up and there’s not much grazing.”

Many farms are already feeding cattle hay, but a drier-than-usual spring has cut that supply as well, she said, with the county’s spring hay harvest only around 60 percent of usual.

Without favorable weather, the fall hay harvest could suffer as well. Horse owners are likely to feel the pinch later in the year.

“A lot of local hay is grown for horses and there may be a shortage of horse-quality hay this winter,” McAdams said.

Corn and soybeans aren’t doing well either. Soybeans are very small this year and the corn production is likely to be cut in half compared to a normal year.

“I’ve seen many cornfields with very significant loses,” McAdams said. “About half of the corn crop is beyond help.”

Vegetable producers, many of whom grow for local farmers’ markets, are having a difficult time in this week’s heat.

“When it gets this hot, plants that are blooming won’t pollinate well.”

In years past, tropical rains in September have helped rescue fall hay and other crops, but even places that have benefited from the spotty rains through this spring and summer will need relief.

McAdams said while the county will record significant crop losses this year, some rain might help fields that have made it this far.

“Some places,” she said, “are not yet past the point of no return.”

­­— Kirk Ross