A local farmer is making a public plea to people thinking about decorating for fall or Halloween.

Severe drought throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and Atlantic Canada means there is a shortage of hay available to farmers to feed their animals.

Conditions were so poor this summer that many farmers had to pull their animals out of pasture weeks early, meaning that they now have to rely on hay being brought in from outside the province.

Steve McBride, who has a small farming operation on the Southern Shore, says people who keep livestock and who have standing orders for local hay are being told their orders may not be filled due to poor hay production.

McBride is urging people not to use hay bales as festive Halloween and Thanksgiving displays this season as local farmers struggle to feed hungry animals. He says farmers are likely going to need every bale – “and then some”- over the winter. He believes demand for hay as a decorative item will likely add to shortages and drive up costs.