Maine Hay Farmers Struggle Following Wet June

WATERVILLE, Maine (AP) — Maine hay farmers are struggling because of the wet weather in June.

Monmouth farmer Andy Baker has harvested about 1,300 bales this summer. Normally he'd have more than 7,000 bales by now.

Baker and other farmers tell the Morning Sentinel that the consistent rainfall in June and early July prevented them from harvesting their hay, while lowering the quality of the yields. The National Weather Service says Portland had more than 7 inches of rain in June, making it the seventh-wettest June on record.

Farmers say they're hoping for warm and dry conditions in the weeks ahead so their second hay cutting of the season will be productive.