Hay for feed in short supply because of Western Canada drought

Hay producers are struggling to fill the demand for animal feed from western livestock producers hit by this year's drought.

Cattle ranchers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are facing shortages and looking for supplies to get through the fall and winter.

Bob Seaman of Valley Hay and Cattle south of Calgary says prices have risen and he has a waiting list of 300 producers looking for feed.

He says it's a bit of payback for hay growers after years of high fuel prices and low returns.

Brian Perillat, manager for the Canfax division of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, says hay prices have more than doubled from what they were a year ago.

He says that's been somewhat offset by near-record beef prices, which make the extra feed costs easier for cattle producers to handle.