Governor Abigail Spanberger declared a State of Emergency to address a statewide hay shortage caused by persistent drought conditions. The declaration activates Executive Order 21, effective September 16, 2026, which grants over-width exemption waivers for carriers transporting hay to farms across Virginia.
The drought has created a statewide hay shortfall of 500,000 tons, or approximately 1 billion pounds, according to the governor's office. The Virginia Cooperative Extension reported a 35 percent loss in hay yields statewide, with losses reaching 70 percent in some cases. From the beginning of the grazing season through June 2026, farmers had to prematurely feed hay for at least 30 of 90 days due to poor pasture conditions and inadequate forage from drought.
The over-width waivers, set to begin October 1 and remain in effect for 30 days, are intended to accelerate delivery of supplemental hay supplies to farms preparing for winter feeding season. The declaration also provides access to emergency funding and activates price gouging protections. Gross and axle weight limits remain strictly in effect under the emergency allowance.
The 15-day gap between the Executive Order taking effect on September 16 and the over-width waivers beginning October 1 allows farmers time to source hay and transportation to maximize use of the 30-day waiver window limited by federal regulations. The state of emergency remains in force for 45 days unless amended or rescinded.
The Virginia Emergency Support Team and Drought Monitoring Task Force continue to monitor statewide drought conditions and coordinate with affected localities and stakeholders.