Thursday, June 20, 2013

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Local farms feel effects from national drought
Posted: 07.20.2012 at 5:27 PM
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Goats are producing less milk in the heat.  / Sean Streicher
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SYLVESTER, GA --

The drought that's currently wrecking havoc on farms across the country is also hitting close to home on a small, all natural farm, in southwest Georgia.

All the produce on Saanen Creek Farms has stopped growing, the only thing still blooming is cutting flowers.

Not only is the drought and heat effecting produce, it's also effecting livestock says farm owner Brad Melvin, "They're laying in the shade doing what people usually do, just trying to keep cool and so they're not eating as much and they're not producing as much milk."

Melvin says the goat's milk production is down a gallon and a half a day, which is a lot for a small operation.

It's also a lot of money, considering goat's milk runs around $12 a gallon. The grass the goats eat isn't growing either so they have to buy hay to feed them. This only adds to the financial strain caused by the drought.

For now Melvin says he's just trying to keep the goats cool and happy, "You know the old saying happy cows come from California; well happy goats come from Georgia."

Despite the drought Melvin and other farmers continue to sell their products at the Sylvester farmers market, every Saturday from 9am-1pm

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