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. Links Watch on Youtube - https://youtu.be/QOW54hKdfJc CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m ⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamedia Instagram - 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/@Showboatmediaco The Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/ Takeaways Chronic 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. Chapters 00:00 Understanding the Impact of Drought on Agriculture 04:53 Strategies for Managing Hay Reserves 05:45 Optimizing Cattle Nutrition and Market Positioning drought, agriculture, hay management, livestock, cattle, nutrition, farming strategies, feed efficiency, cattle market, hay testing