CARROLL COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
The head of Georgia's Cattlemen's Association said the drought could put some local farmers out of business and drive up prices at the meat counter.
"We've had very spotty rainfall," said Chuck Joiner who raises cattle in Carroll County. "We'll get rain, but we just never know when."
Joiner said cattle production has dropped sharply since the drought started.
"There are many cattlemen who are hurting right now," said Joiner.
At the Caroll County Livestock Sales Barn, which holds sales on Monday, many cattlemen said they are in dire straits.
"I have half as much grass as I used to," said Jarill Garnel, who has farmed in Carroll County all his life. "I am planning to get rid of half of my herd."
Farmers said they are forced to feed their cattle corn and grain, which is costing them more money. They said they will have no choice but to pass that cost on to the consumer.
"The farmer's the one that loses when everything else goes high," said Barry Robinson, the manager of the livestock barn. "And then when it goes up in the store, everybody loses."
It's estimated Carroll County is down about six inches of rainfall from normal. But farmers said they will need more than that to green their pastures.
"You're just continually waiting, hoping and praying it will rain and it will one day," said Joiner.
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