09/09/2026
And with that, we happily say goodbye to the 2026 hay season.
We were luckier than most this year. This is the second year in a row that we are going to see a hay shortage, and the reality of that is becoming increasingly difficult for many livestock owners.
The 2024 stores in mows are long gone. The 2025 stores are scarce. And 2026 proved to be a horrendous year for hay. Many producers still have not gotten their first cut off, with fields continuing to sit underwater.
Then there is the cost of actually making hay. With rising diesel prices, it can cost around $450 just to put the tractor to work and get into the field. That does not include twine, labour, maintenance of equipment.
I receive 3 to 5 messages a day from people looking for hay. Some come with stories and photos of elderly horses who desperately need a specific, soft second cut because they can no longer chew a coarser first cut.
Ontario has not historically experienced hay shortages to the same extent as areas out west. Many people here have never experienced a true shortage, where farms are forced to ship livestock across the country to auction because they simply cannot feed them.
That is exactly how I acquired my childhood horse from a top breeding farm in Saskatchewan over 20 years ago for bottom dollar because it was either ship or starve.
While we are incredibly happy and grateful that we were successful in getting two beautiful cuts off this year despite the challenging conditions, we know that not everyone has been so lucky.
So, we want to share a little bit of wisdom we have gathered over the years.
When hay is tough to find, there is no room to be picky. Take what you can get and supplement where you can. Prices will be higher this year. Hay is not an easy crop to produce, and the current political and economic climate does not make it any easier.
This is the year to lean on your multidisciplinary team. Nutritionists, veterinarians, farriers and other allied health professionals can all help you figure out how to make the best of a difficult situation and optimize what you have available.
Above all, we wish everyone the best of luck this winter. We hope that bellies stay full, livestock stay healthy, and everyone is able to find what they need.
Here’s to praying for a good 2027 hay season and a chance to rebuild those stores.
