Local farmers desperate for rain

WARREN COUNTY, Ohio (WDTN) - The Warren County Fair kicked off Tuesday in Lebanon. 

Fair officials reported the number of livestock in the fair this year is about the same when compared to years past.

Farmers used large fans and periodically sprayed down their livestock with cold water in an effort to keep the animals cool at the fair.

"Pigs and hogs do not perspire," said Fred Vonderhaar, who is a farmer in the Lebanon area.  "They need moisture to keep them cool so they don't get overheated."

Farmers said the drought is still posing a risk to their livelihood.

Vonderhaar is one of the many farmers who raises livestock and farms corn, soybean and wheat in the Lebanon area.

For Vonderhaar, its too early to tell if he will have a loss come harvest time, but said he can sleep at night because he has crop insurance.   

"It will offset any potential problems I might have if the weather conditions continue to stay dry like this," said Vonderhaar.

2 News also spoke with farmer Bruce Goodwin as his family showed steer that will eventually be sold for market.

Goodwin said the price of beef is already going down because many farmers have been forced to sell their livestock after the drought destroyed their feed.

"When more animals get sold than what the market needs the price goes down," said Goodwin.  "That is what is happening right now.  The price is going down on beef."

Goodwin hasn't been forced to sell any of his livestock, but does raise feeder cattle and said these farmers will be affected by the drought.

"When the drought started the price of corn increased," said Goodwin.  "When that happened the feeder cattle market was affected.  Buyers paid $150 - $180 a pound for a feeder calve and the price now at the market may only be $125 a pound."

The Warren County Fair runs through Saturday, July 21, 2012.

For more information, visit www.warrencountyfair.org