Wisconsin farmers found assistance in the drought relief initiative after a season of winter-kill and excessive rain. 32 counties qualified for permits to harvest hay on 60 wildlife areas, parks, state recreation areas, southern forests and state natural areas.
In total, 2,638 acres of state land were harvested this summer under the emergency haying provisions. The special harvest on state lands ended on Aug. 31 to allow grass to regrow for fall recreational activities.
Pictured below are snapshots from the haying of a prairie planting at the Ridgeway Pine Relict State Natural Area.
