Sunday, February 24, 2013

Climate affects small bale economics

By David Horst  sandhill7@gmail.com

Paul Robbins
Paul Robbins has an environmental institute at his disposal, with many ways to measure the impact of the Midwest drought on the economy.

I have only one.

I heard Robbins, executive director of the University of Wisconsin Nelson Institute for Environmental Science, speak eloquently and convincingly to the Appleton Noon Rotary about the need to determine and communicate the impact of climate change specific to Wisconsin's businesses, farms and people.

Afterwards, I offered him my measure -- the price of hay.

Due to another poor growing season, square bales of hay that hobby farmers like me were buying for $2.50 to $3 each for years, this fall were going for $6 or $7 per bale, if you could find any.

Here’s my analysis of small bale economics.