Northeast Dairy Farmers Challenged By Rainy, Cool Spring

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Following dry and drought conditions last summer, Northeast farmers are facing the opposite challenge this growing season: a rainy, cool spring that has delayed the planting of corn and other crops and the first cutting of hay for livestock feed.
With a window of dry, hot weather, dairy farmers have been cutting hay fields this week. But for many, it's too late to harvest a high quality crop.

The wet spring prevented farmers from driving equipment on to fields to plant corn or cut hay.

That means some dairy farmers may need to buy supplemental feed for their cows.

The New Hampshire Legislature has approved emergency funding for dairy farmers strained by last year's drought, which forced some farmers to reduce their herds to save money.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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