This is the case in the northwestern areas of USA also. Washington, Idaho, Montana areas. Hay production has been down so the scarcity/prices have gone up. A

This is the case in the northwestern areas of USA also. Washington, Idaho, Montana areas. Hay production has been down so the scarcity/prices have gone up. And that also means more theft. The farmers/ranchers are allowed to shoot the wolves that eat their cows, but they can't shoot the hay thieves! So they just grumble and make Uncle Sam pay for it.