HICKMAN COUNTY, Tenn. WKRN – Although recent rain has provided some relief, farmers in Tennessee are still battling the effects of a long-lasting drought.
The drought this year has only added to last year’s dry conditions. It’s the driest I’ve ever seen, said Spencer Totty, a fifth-generation farmer in Hickman County.
Totty’s family has farmed the land along Duck River since the early 1800s, and he knows how damaging a drought can be.
One major concern for him this year is hay production. Normally, farmers cut hay three times a season, but with the pastures so dry, that’s become impossible.
It was last cut at the end of June, Totty said, pointing to a field. “By now, it should have grown back a couple of feet, but it hasn’t.
With fields too dry to regrow, many farmers will only get one hay cutting this year. This shortage means hay prices will go up, making it harder for farmers to feed their livestock.
I predict there will be a cattle shortage, Totty told News 2. Many farms no longer have cattle because of the drought and high costs. It’s the perfect storm for people to sell off their herds.
Totty considers himself lucky because he has stored enough hay on his farm. However, he knows that as supplies decrease, prices will rise, forcing farmers to make tough decisions.
People might think high prices mean farmers are making more money, but that’s not true, Totty explained. “We’re not getting rich from this.
Despite the challenges, Totty finds hope in the resilience of farmers. Farming is a generational thing. Farmers are some of the most stubborn people you’ll meet, and they’ll do everything they can to keep going. They always say, maybe next year.
Totty sees the recent rain as just a temporary fix to the ongoing drought.
He emphasized the importance of supporting farmers by shopping at farmers’ markets and buying directly from those who work hard to feed the nation.