Horse and Cow hay available locally

When it was time for the first cutting in June, the drought had set in, and it became very obvious that the hay yield was dramatically low, due to the lack of rain. A lot of local horse people normally purchase their hay from the cattle farmers, who sell any excess hay that they do not need to keep. Not so this year! Most of the cattle farmers kept all the hay they produced, and had very little to sell. As the season dragged on, and summer rainstorms became a fond memory, the hay fields failed to produce substantial second or third cuttings. Horse people are very concerned about being able to feed their horses, and the market is flooded with equines that are being sold for prarctically nothing, just to get rid of them before winter sets in. A few cattle owners didn't even have enough hay for their own cows. The Governor has declared a "hay crisis" situation within the state.

In June, out of sheer desperation, the groundwork was laid down for what may turn out to be a project which will benefit horse and cattle owners in western North Carolina and northern Georgia: A local horse owner, who could not find hay for her horses, took the matter seriously and started digging for information on where she could locate enough hay to get through the winter months. Over the summer months, she made dozens of phone calls and contacted numerous hay producers. As a result, she now has contact information on hay producers all across the southern states. However, she has already noticed a decline in the amount of hay which was available in June and July, as compared to the amount which is available now, at the end of the summer growing season. The producers that she is talking to are selling hay to everyone across the southern states, and feeding most of the livestock between Texas and Ocala, so the supplies will continue to dwindle. The further we get into the winter months, the harder it will be to find producers who have not sold out, and unfortunately, the prices will start to escalate.

Information about getting this hay will be sent to anyone who needs it. You will be asked to fill out a survey, regarding which type of hay you are looking for, and how much you will need to purchase over the winter. If anyone is desperate for hay to feed their animals immediately, please include that information, along with your telephone number, so arrangements can be made to get a truckload to you as soon as possible. The formula to keep in mind is that the average adult horse needs 20 pounds of hay per day, and that the next cut will not take place until about mid-June 2008, assuming we get lots of rain over the winter. If you place round bales out in your pasture for free-choice feeding, you will need to have an idea as to how fast your livestock will eat the bales.

Delivery fees will impact the prices, and will vary with each truck load, depending on how far the truck has to travel. It would be wise for several people to go in together and split a truck load. If you are a cattle farmer, and need an entire truckload of cow hay for your herd, a truckload can be brought straight to your farm. The average semi load will consist of 28 to 34 round bales, or 400 to 600 square bales, depending upon the size and weight of each bale. Most of this hay will be native grass hays, such as Bermuda, Coastal, and Alicia. The high protein Alfalfa and Brome hays are more predominant in the northern-central states, and towards Canada. The delivery fees alone for these hays are staggering. Therefore, the focus has been to concentrate on grass hay supplies across the southern states, which are closer to home.

Delivery fees could be cut somewhat if local overthe road truck drivers could be utilized. They would need to have flatbed or stepdeck trailers, with tarps. Vans could be used to haul loads of square bales. If they were hauling frieght to the Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and/or Mississippi areas, and needed something to back-haul on their way back home, they could bring back loads of hay! If you know of any local or regional drivers who would like to haul the hay, please send their name and number, so they can be contacted and used!

To receive the information about getting the hay for your livestock, please send three self-addressed, stamped envelopes to: Hay 4 WNC, PO Box 1735, Murphy NC 28906.