Virginia Ranchers Battle Drought

Virginia farmers face a brutal drought this year, forcing cattle ranchers to feed their herds hay nearly year-round instead of the usual 60 days. With hay supplies slashed by drought across neighboring states, farmers are racing to buy feed from distant regions like Ohio and Tennessee, competing with thousands for scarce resources. Degraded pasture quality adds to the crisis, as dry grass offers little nutrition. USDA assistance programs are stepping in to help cover grazing losses, livestock transport, and feed costs—but many ranchers still worry about what’s ahead. For now, they’re holding tight, hoping for rain and relying on every tool to keep their operations alive. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/12e3aa5b929e8ad4