Stephanie Herseth Sandlin: “Over the last month, donated hay has come to Texas from Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and other states across the country.…”

“Over the last month, donated hay has come to Texas from Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and other states across the country. The free hay is a near miraculous sight for many East Texas ranchers and a wonderful tribute to the generosity of the human spirit. However, in all but a few cases, the hay will provide only a stopgap measure until the cattle producers can find another way to purchase hay. Most of the state's pasture land is still rated as poor or very poor, and my district in East Texas is one of the driest regions in the state. For months, parched fields have forced Texas ranchers to purchase feed or hay to feed their herds. The dry conditions and the increased demand, however, have made hay scarce and expensive. Texas ranchers are spending an average of $3.5 million a day in extra feed costs to support their herds. All agricultural producers in Texas, not just the ranchers, are suffering through the second severe drought to hit Texas in three years. Total farm and ranch losses from the drought are now estimated to reach $2.1 billion statewide, with an overall impact to the state economy estimated at $5.8 billion.”