Arkansas hay farmers once hopeful for three cuttings during 2013 are now worried about a developing drought.
Forecasters said Thursday that drought conditions are developing in portions of Arkansas.
For a time in the spring, conditions were such that some farmers believed they could make hay around Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.
University of Arkansas forage specialist John Jennings said Arkansas' weather pattern needs to change so broader areas of the state see rain.
Showers Wednesday and Thursday help but are too isolated. The National Weather Service says the forecast into September calls for above-average temperatures and near-normal rain - which is not great hay-making weather.
So far this year, Arkansas has produced more hay than it did in all of 2012, when a drought was more severe.