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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: October 23, 2007 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. ~_ <br />SUBJECT: Agricultural Drought Situation <br />DEPARTMENT: NC Cooperative Extension PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Karen J. McAdams -919-245-2050 <br />Dr. Fletcher Barber, Jr. - 919-245-2050 <br />PURPOSE: To report on the preliminary effects of the drought on Orange County agricultural <br />producers and efforts to assist farmers. <br />BACKGROUND: The combination of extended drought and high temperatures this spring and <br />summer has left Orange County farmers reeling. The County's livestock producers, including <br />beef, dairy, horses, sheep and goats, depend heavily on pasture grazing and locally grown hay <br />for feed. Hay yields for the spring cuttings were only about 50% of normal yields and fall <br />cuttings have been virtually nonexistent. In addition, the prolonged dry weather has dried up <br />pastures that animals usually graze on, requiring growers to begin feeding hay in July that <br />should have been reserved for winter feeding. In average years, hay feeding often does not <br />begin until November or December. <br />Producers are faced with the dilemma of having to buy hay and grain or sell breeding cattle. <br />Since there is almost no excess local hay, livestock producers must also pay high freight costs <br />to get hay delivered. Many cattle producers have sold some of their breeding animals and <br />more will be sold soon. Horse owners, who usually purchase their hay from local farmers, are <br />purchasing out of state hay at prices that are often double the amount paid last year. Water <br />supplies for livestock are also drying up, with over 25 beef and dairy producers hauling water to <br />cattle because of dry wells, creeks and ponds. <br />Crop producers have also fared poorly, with low yields for most crops including tobacco, corn, <br />and soybeans. Many corn and soybean growers had a complete loss with no grain yields. <br />Some growers have salvaged fields for cattle feed. Vegetable and fruit growers have also had <br />losses because of excessive heat and drought. In addition, there have been increased <br />expenses for irrigation of vegetables, sod and ornamentals. Sales have decreased for <br />ornamental shrub and flower growers as well as sod farmers. Business for landscapers has <br />also been severely curtailed. <br />