At 79 years old, Robert Cervenka makes his living off raising cattle, 400 of them to be exact.
"Herds I've been building up all my life, and they're the kind of cattle I want," he said.
Lately, however, Cervenka is not as happy. He worries he may have to sell some if the drought conditions don't ease.
"This is probably one of the roughest ones I've been in, except for the 50s," he said.
With no rain, the cows aren't grazing a green pasture. So many farmers are turning to hay.
"Some of them are ordering double what they usually order every year, just being scared of it going away," farmer and rancher Marc Scott said.
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Hay Shortage
As News 8's Bonnie Gonzalez shows us, it's becoming more of a struggle for ranchers who are trying to keep their cattle alive.
 
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Scott is in the business of baling and selling hay. He said his supply is running low and the grass isn't growing for another cut, leading to higher prices.
"On a normal year I'd get around $30 a roll for this. I've already turned down $65 for this stuff right here, keeping it for me," Scott said.
People from as far as Arkansas and Missouri are even advertising in Central Texas because they know Texas farmers need the hay.
"I've heard of people selling it already for $110 a roll. To me that's outrageous," he said.
It's not appealing for Cervenka, either.
"The hay we got, we're saving that for winter," Cervenka said. "We can't afford to start here in July and start feeding hay."
In the meantime, Cervenka said he'll be using treats and syrup licks, full of protein and vitamins, to supplement his cattle's diet and to stretch out funds.
