Tennessee Valley farmers facing the fallout of this years drought [Video]

FAYETTE, TN. (WAFF) – Local farmers are now starting to see the effects of this year’s drought.

Shane Southern’s cattle farm in Lincoln County is usually quiet until his cows hear him start his feed truck. His cows know that when they see his truck, it’s time to eat. But after this year’s drought, each ride in the truck for Southern means another day drained from his feedstock.

“This year has been very tough,” Southern, the owner of Kickin’ S Cattle said.

Southern’s corn suppliers only yielded a third compared to last year due to the drought. Less corn and seed meant he had to tap into his hay supply a month early.

“That was 60 to 90 rolls of hay that we didn’t plan on feeding that we had to feed,” Southern said.

Southern uses about 350 rolls per year, one roll a day on each field. And at $70 a …