Southwest North Dakota farmer Miles Richards says drought and spring freezes sharply reduced hay production this year. “The straight alfalfa took a pretty bad beating, while the grass-alfalfa mix held up better,” said Richards. “I don’t think it’s entirely drought-related. We had almost no rain in May, but those early frosts also did significant damage.” Richards said row crops are faring much better. “The canola looks good, and we’re planning to hay the oats, which should produce the equivalent of a 60- to 70-bushel crop. Considering how the season started, I’d call that respectable.”
