Editorial: Get the Hay Moving: Emergency Relief Could Be Coming
August 26, 2026
Editorial: Weather conditions across our great state have been quite inconsistent this year, with some areas of Montana receiving adequate precipitation while other localities seem to have gotten very little, leaving many cattle producers and farmers in a tough spot.
While drought has not hit every corner of the state, it has hit some segments of cattle and farm country particularly hard.
So what actually is the official status on the ground?
According to Drought.gov, some of the hardest-hit areas include portions of southwestern, central, and eastern Montana. More than half of Montana is officially experiencing drought, nearly one-fifth of the state is experiencing severe or extreme drought, and roughly 94 percent of Montana is experiencing at least abnormally dry conditions.
By far, though, some of the most alarming numbers come from the USDA, with only 13 percent of Montana's topsoil moisture rated "adequate," the lowest in the nation.
Conditions such as these are extremely tough on cattle producers and farmers trying to grow and store adequate feed to sustain cattle herds through Montana's long winter months.
That is why we have been in communication with Governor Greg Gianforte about these difficult conditions. It is our understanding that the governor’s office is working through an official State of Emergency declaration that could come as soon as the 31st of August.
Now, you might be wondering: What does that actually mean beyond more political talk and legal jargon?
In practical terms, an emergency declaration gives the state the ability to ease certain motor vehicle restrictions to help producers get hay, feed, livestock, and stock water where they need to go. Most importantly for producers trying to haul hay, this can mean relief from certain weight and other vehicle restrictions that would otherwise limit the size of loads moving down Montana highways.
That matters. When hay is scarce and producers may have to haul it hundreds of miles, being able to legally move heavier and larger loads can mean fewer trips, lower transportation costs, and getting more feed to drought-stricken operations faster.
Such a designation provides up to a 15-day period of automatic relief from certain federal hours-of-service requirements for commercial motor carriers providing direct assistance during a governor-declared emergency. The specific weight, size, permitting, and other transportation exemptions available will be determined by the terms of the governor's declaration and MDT requirements.
So, in plain terms: Know the effective dates, know what exemptions apply, and use the window while it is available. Get that hay bought and get it hauled.
For more information or questions, the appropriate contacts are below.
In the meantime, stay safe, everyone, and let's get that hay where it needs to go.
God bless our producers, and God bless Montana.
Montana Hay Hauling / Emergency Information
Montana Department of Transportation — Motor Carrier Services, Permits
406-444-7262
For oversize/overweight permits, hay-hauling restrictions, routes, and questions regarding emergency exemptions.
Montana Department of Transportation — Motor Carrier Services
406-444-6130
For general commercial and agricultural trucking questions.
Senator Wylie Galt
Senate District 39
Chair, Senate Natural Resources Committee
Speaker Brandon Ler
House District 33
Speaker of the Montana House of Representatives
Representative Randyn Gregg
House District 78
Vice Chair, House Education Committee
