Drought and extreme heat negatively impacts local farms

HINTON, WV (WVNS) – Farmers rely on rain during the summer season to produce crops, to ensure their livestock have plenty to eat and drink, and to make their living.

However, the ongoing drought all across our region is massively complicating things.

One local farmer, Mark Meador, told 59News how this drought has affected his work.

“Pasture fields, if it would rain, would come back, but the water situation is getting really bad. The water tank is drying up, the creek is drying up and the hay. This year, the hay production is about 173 rolls of hay and in 2000 it was 319 rolls,” said Meador.

Due to the scorched grass, Meador said there will be no second cutting for his harvest.

Many livestock require a lot of water.

Meador said that his cattle require upwards of 800 gallons of water per day to stay hydrated, which would equate to 25 gallons a cow.

He is also having issues feeding his cattle due to the lack of rain and hay production.

These complications could force farmers like him to sell their livestock early.

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