The U.S. Drought Monitor released Oct. 27 shows what Alabama farmers already know — the entire state is officially in a drought. Since summer, Alabama livestock farmers have been dealing with dried up ponds and lack of grass and hay to feed cattle.

To help farmers, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System will hold three Livestock Drought Meetings in North Alabama. Topics covered will include winter annual planting, commodity feed options, pasture and hay inventory, feeder cattle marketing and fall cow checks.

Each meeting starts at 6 p.m.

ACES also created a website with additional resources for dealing with drought. Click here to access the site.

A burn ban remains in effect in 46 counties, which prohibits all outdoor burning including campfires and prescribed burns. Alabama’s remaining counties are under a Fire Alert issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission. In those 21 counties, permits for outdoor burning are restricted and issued on an individual basis. Find more information on AFC’s website.

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries recently created a Hay Listing website. Farmers with hay to sell may post an entry to the site, and farmers needing hay can search for what’s available near them.