Since the devastating 2012 drought, farmers spent the past five seasons rebuilding their herds and getting back to a sustainable level.
But with the dry months of summer now setting in, many Missouri cattle farmers are struggling to find hay and feed for their animals.
Unfortunately, after an abnormally dry spring, most of northern Missouri is now suffering drought conditions.
To make up for this loss, farmers would typically feed animals baled hay to supplement pasture grazing.
In most years, northern Missouri farmers feed hay to their cattle until the end of March or first of April.
In addition to lack of forage, drinking water itself has been getting harder for many to find and access.
Without rain to restore them to normal levels, these animals may be left with nothing to drink.
With all of these factors at play at the same time, Missouri farmers are experiencing a bit of a perfect storm.
This storm has left many with only a few options.
They could buy feed for their cattle, also at abnormally high cost to the farmer.