The drought's domino effect may eventually decrease dairy production and drive up prices to consumers, local milk processors say, but for now, all the pressure is on dairy farmers.
Fair Oaks CEO Gary Corbett said the full extent of the drought's impact on dairy producers will not be known for a while.
"This is one of the tougher droughts we've dealt with ... We're doing things to lessen the impact." Corbett said.
Last week at Fair Oaks off Interstate 65 in Newton County, about 1000 acres of corn fodder – chopped up corn plants not developed – was put into bags for feed and more corn plants may come down, Corbett said. Fair Oaks milks 30,000 cows three times daily and welcomes 80 calves a day.
"The great thing about a dairy cow is she can eat a lot of things – candy bars, bakery byproducts, citrus pulp, cottonseed hulls, almond and walnut hulls. The cow's a great machine. She can utilize these, and that's helpful," Corbett said.
Purdue Extension dairy specialists Mike Schutz and Tamilee Nennich said those with dairy herds must act now to ensure access to alternate feed sources for their livestock should dry conditions persist.
David Kleine milks 100 cows on his rural Cedar Lake dairy farm. He said he usually buys western hay to augment the grain he grows. He expects to manage with that. Still, "We've gotten just enough rain to keep going," he said.
In LaPorte County, Yon Lindborg said said the corn used for his herd of 200 dairy cattle is under irrigation now, but that may not be sufficient. Spotty rains and graduated plantings could still produce enough.
Lindborg said their fields of alfalfa, which sometimes has a taproot five feet deep, are impressive.
"It's an amazing thing of creation. We just finished the third cutting," he said. Alfalfa is a good protein and fiber source for cattle.
Bart Leep, president of Pleasant View Dairy in Highland, said the dairy products the company processes come from a cooperative, which includes region dairy farmers.
"Those guys are feeling it first," Leep said. Still, he said, "Production will go down and we'll see increases ... It just hasn't really affected us yet."
Joe Oberweis, President and CEO of Oberweis Dairy headquartered in North Aurora, Ill., said the duration of the drought will be a big indicator of what is to come.
"Ultimately, prices will go up, but there's a lag. ... Dairy is heavily regulated. It takes a while for prices to adjust," Oberweis said. "No concern now, but if the drought continues into September, I and all milk processors would be worried."
Both Leep and Oberweis said the dairy business is cyclical and summertime supplies are generally quite ample, due in large part to school's summer recess.
Nennich and Schutz urge farmers to be proactive in finding additional forage sources to get through the season since availability may go down and prices rise with demand.