Livestock farmers in Tuzi, Montenegro, are paying six to seven euros per bale of hay, up from three to four euros last year, and say it is becoming difficult to find. They say drought, high temperatures and a poor harvest have reduced availability ahead of winter, when farmers without reserves could face difficulties.
At the Livestock Market, a bale costs seven euros and can be found for as much as 7.50 euros. Last year, bales cost three to four euros, with some available for 2.50 euros. Hay bales brought from the north weigh 10 to 15 kilograms, while local bales weigh 25 to 30 kilograms.
The farmers link the shortage and price increase to drought and a weak harvest. Grass did not grow in the spring because of high temperatures, and people are unwilling to mow meadows. Farmers in the municipality warn that anyone who did not prepare for winter will be in difficulty.
Prentaš Siništaj, the largest livestock farmer in Tuzi, lives in Krševo and has 32 cows, 200 goats and between 350 and 400 sheep. He prepared for winter in advance, bought grain and usually sets aside at least 400 bales of hay as a reserve. While hay was being cut in Dušići, he paid 2.50 to three euros per bale.
“Hay is expensive now, and hard to find,” Siništaj said. He has not started feeding hay to his animals because he lets them graze and gives them crushed feed. He uses up to 4,500 bales a year. Siništaj says 10 kilograms of hay is not enough for one cow, so he gives each cow a bale in the morning and another in the evening, with four to five kilograms of crushed feed between meals.
Siništaj said farmers with large herds who did not secure hay in time could face difficulties, especially if snow falls. Soka Koljčaj had to start feeding hay to his cows earlier this year and plans to give them more concentrate, which he considers more cost-effective. The price of concentrated feed has not changed from last year; Koljčaj paid 11 euros a week ago and expects the price could rise by about 20%.
“We are getting to the point where a kilo of hay costs more than a kilo of concentrate,” Koljčaj said.
