Summer drought still affecting hay supplies
Posted February 3, 2016 11:18 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The effects of last summer’s drought are still being felt months after water restrictions were lifted in Metro Vancouver.
There are concerns about the high price of hay, and what that could mean for horses in our region.
A horse owner in Abbotsford tells us prices of hay have been particularly high over the last few months.
Marcie Moriarty with the BC SPCA is concerned about getting more calls for thin animals.
“We have a limited capacity when it comes to our ability to take in large animals, such as horses,” she explains.
“Now can I directly tie that to the hay prices? I’m not sure, would these people have not fed their animals anyways?”
Moriarty adds the organization is looking after 35 horses right now.
She says there has been an increase in the number of horses the SPCA has taken in through January, adding the message is that owners need to plan ahead — determining early where they’ll get their hay, and maybe pre-buy.
The horse owner we spoke with says prices have started to soften with the warmer weather, and she’s hoping we aren’t hit with a sudden cold snap this month.
Kelvin McCulloch is CEO of the Buckerfield’s chain of stores, and says when the next cut of hay comes in about two months, costs will go down.
He warns the same issue could arise again this coming summer.
