AUBURN, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The drought in the midwest has kept grass from growing, drying up the hay supply and causing the price of a bale to sky rocket.
Some farmers in Iowa are paying as much as $12 a bale, a price that has doubled since the drought.
In Maine, farmers say the drought hasn't affected prices, keeping rates between $2 and $6 per bale.
Some farmers are worried that in a few months, that could change.
According to Scott Ferland, who works on the Ferland Farm in Poland, midwest farmers are getting hay from suppliers closer to that region.
He is worried that if those supplies dry up, suppliers from further away, like Maine, will begin shipping to the west.
He also said if the nationwide price continues to increase, Maine farmers may find they can turn a profit by shipping hay to the midwest.
"The buzz is definitely going around," said Ferland. "You know there may be a hay shortage. If the price gets high enough, people start shipping it, then hay will be hard to get."
He said based on the theory of supply and demand, the decrease in supply could lead to an increase in hay prices in Maine.
Ferland recommended people buy hay while it's cheap and while it's still here.
"It's easy going now, but you know November, December, January, Februray, things but get a little harder," he said.
For a list of hay suppliers by county, click here.
NEWS CENTER