Alachua farmer Tom Shaw said the area hay industry has been hit with a double-whammy this year: A lot of hay has been shipped to Texas, which is suffering from a catastrophic drought even while local yields were down from North Florida's own drought.

That has resulted in less hay and higher prices to feed livestock, as well as fears of a possible shortage before the next growing season in the spring.

Shaw & Shaw Farms between Jonesville and Alachua has about 1,000 acres planted in hay. They use half for their 700 head of cattle and sell the rest to feed stores, cattlemen and individuals.