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likely fall under the lack of hay.
Unless the weather takes a dramatic turn and produces much more rain, there probably won’t be a second hay cutting in dry-land fields, which make up at least half of the fields in the valley,
CHS reported.
“Hay is in short supply, and a lot of
our people already had contracts to have hay go out of state,” McGlynn said. “They needed to meet those contracts first. Many of these people they sell the first cutting, and the second cutting they sell locally.”
As a horse owner herself, McGlynn said she has concerns about hay avail- ability in Flathead County, and that even if there’s a need to import it, she’s unsure where it would come from, since most of the western U.S. has suffered a similar drought.
George Haynes, a professor with the Department of Agriculture Economics and Economics and an extension spe- cialist, said some recent “substantial” rebounds in wheat prices could help
local farmers, and cattle prices have remained strong.
“So that’s good news for producers up there, it’s an important part of (the) economy,” Haynes said.
Still, Haynes acknowledged the potential hardships for the Flathead economy, with agriculture playing such an important role.
“Any time you have these production issues in any county, there’s money that is spent by producers that doesn’t end up spent,” Haynes said. “There’s some local impacts that are important.”
And with cattle prices maintaining at solid levels – though they did drop to the lowest levels in a year on July 10 at $1.47 per pound after pressure from an increase in grain prices, which makes it more expensive to feed the cattle – more people are raising them, which leads to more demand for hay.
“For anyone who can and has the storage, they’re going to want to get that first cutting (of hay),” McGlynn said.
[email protected]
TRANSACTIONS
WEEKLY BUSINESS BRIEFING
MARINA CAY IN BIGFORK UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
The Marina Cay is one of the stalwart businesses in Bigfork, offering visitors a scenic place to stay right on the bay connect- ing Flathead Lake with the Swan River.
And now, the Marina Cay
is under the new ownership of
Robert and Beth Carrette, who
have spearheaded remodeling
projects within the buildings,
while also promoting the spot as
a year-round destination for din-
ing, entertainment, and live music, along with lodging.
The Marina Cay is open seven days a week and is not a private club: the public is welcomed to take advantage of the two restaurants, three bars, and vendors associated with the resort, such as Wild Wave Boat Rentals located at Dock of the Bay, A Able Fishing Charters, and more.
For more information, visit www.marinacay.com or call 406-837- 5861, or visit the resort at 180 Vista Ln. in Bigfork.
Opening, moving or expanding a business in Northwest Montana? If you would like to be featured in “Transactions,” please email information to [email protected]
“WITH THE FORAGE, THE HAY AND ALFALFA, IF IT’S IRRIGATED WE’RE DOING OK, BUT THE DRY-LAND FARMING IS REALLY TAKING A HIT.” - PAT MCGLYNN, FLATHEAD COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
Christmas
in July
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JULY 15, 2015 | FLATHEADBEACON.COM
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