LUBBOCK, TX – High freight and diesel costs are making hay harder to move between regions, increasing the challenge for livestock producers trying to source feed during drought.
Aiden Johnson, founder of HayWire Ag, says hay is bulky and relatively low-value per pound, making transportation costs a major part of delivered prices. He says higher diesel costs can quickly limit how far hay can move economically.
The freight problem becomes more important when drought reduces local pasture and forage supplies. Areas with available hay may still struggle to serve deficit regions if transportation costs erase the price advantage.
Johnson says HayWire tracks confirmed sales across multiple regions to help producers compare local values with broader market conditions. Price differences can be large, reflecting quality, location, supply and freight.
Producers heading into winter may need to weigh local hay availability against trucking costs before buying from distant markets, especially if drought keeps regional forage supplies tight.
Farm-Level Takeaway: High transportation costs can prevent lower-priced hay from providing economical relief to livestock producers in drought-short regions.