CHESTER, S.C. -- Thousands of cows are disappearing from the area -- sold off because of the drought that's devastating long-time cattle farmers.

"I go to bed thinking about it, and get up thinking about it," said Kenneth Johnson of Clover, who's farmed for 50 years.

Johnson joined dozens of other farmers Tuesday morning at a weekly auction in Chester County. This year has been the busiest on record for the auction as the drought forces many farmers to sell off their cattle.

The lack of rain has wiped out grazing pastures and is causing farmers to use hay that's usually saved up for winter. That hay is much more expensive since it's become a hot commodity. Farmers are paying $50 to $75 a bale as opposed to $20 to $40 when hay is plentiful.

Some farmers have also had to install expensive wells to get water to their cattle.

Johnson has been forced to sell 45 cows this month alone. He got emotional talking about how tough it's been this year.

"When you start waking up at two and three in the morning, wondering what's going to happen to you, then have to go out there and face the drought -- it's no good," he said.

A typical auction at the Chester Livestock Barn sells 600 to 700 cows a day. This year has averaged more than 1,000 a day.

Many of the buyers will ship the cattle out west where the pastures are greener and they can be fed, and then sold for beef.

Guy Darby of Chester is selling off cows too. However, he's optimistic that the weather will change, the rains will come and local farmers will make it.

"I'm not a quitter," he said. "Most farmers aren't."