While the 2017 drought left a huge swath of moderate- to severely-parched fields across the state in its wake, experts are optimistic there will be enough forage to last until spring planting.

“The drought took its toll on Iowa grass hay production in 2017, with production down 18 percent from a year ago,” said Dave Miller, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation director of research and commodity services. “Alfalfa production was up in Iowa by about 9 percent, offsetting some of the decline in other hay production.” 

Despite south-central Iowa and parts of southeast Iowa having minimal summer rains and short supplies...