Warm weather and good rainfall made August a good month for hay production, but missing the spring and summer hay growing period hurt profit margins. This year saw the most severe local drought since 2011, with a total average rainfall this year of 19.39 inches, as measured by the Lower Colorado River Authority’s gauge at El Campo Memorial Hospital, less than half of last year’s total of 40.40 inches as of October. South Texas hay prices are sitting at between $70-$80 per round bale for fair quality and between $130-$150 per round bale for premium quality hay, whereas small square bales average $6-$8 and $10-$13 for the same qualities.