171: Making Hay Stretch When Drought Won’t Let Up

Drought is tightening its grip on agriculture, forcing producers to rethink how they manage every bale of hay. In this episode of the CattleUSA Daily Podcast, Lauren Moylan breaks down practical strategies to stretch limited forage supplies — from testing hay and limiting waste to culling cattle and investing in efficient feeders. With drought driving up costs and pressuring the cattle market, this conversation gives producers the tools to make smarter, more strategic decisions for herd health and long-term profitability.LinksWatch on Youtube - https://youtu.be/QOW54hKdfJcCattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/TakeawaysChronic droughts are affecting agriculture across the U.S.Flash droughts can drain hay reserves quickly.Testing hay is crucial for effective supplementation.Culling cattle can help manage resources better.Limiting hay access can reduce waste significantly.Investing in efficient feeders can minimize hay loss.Nutrition decisions impact future profits and calf health.Producers must adapt to survive the current drought.Strategic planning is essential for livestock management.Stay informed with agricultural news for better decision-making.Chapters00:00 Understanding the Impact of Drought on Agriculture04:53 Strategies for Managing Hay Reserves05:45 Optimizing Cattle Nutrition and Market Positioningdrought, agriculture, hay management, livestock, cattle, nutrition, farming strategies, feed efficiency, cattle market, hay testing