Looking for Hay? Cooperative Extension Website Can Help
Contact: Rick Kersbergen University of Maine Cooperative Extension, 207-342-5971, richardk@umext.maine.edu
ORONO, Maine — “Making hay this year has been quite a challenge,” says University of Maine Cooperative Extension Educator Rick Kersbergen. “The lack of a continued dry period has made dry hay harvesters a very frustrated group of farmers.”
Extension’s online “Hay Directory” can help farmers find it with the click of a mouse. The website http://www.umaine.edu/livestock/hay.htm lists growers with hay for sale as well as those looking for hay to buy. Current listings include 2003 and 2004 hay supplies, but by the end of August, the site will cover only 2004 postings.
Dry hay usually requires several days of continued good weather to get to the proper moisture level that makes it safe for storage in square or round bales. Unfortunately, there have been very few consistent weather patterns to allow for a good harvest period, says Kersbergen. Farmers who make silage (a wet fermented hay product) have been able to get most of their grass and legume crops harvested, so they have sufficient supplies of stored feed for their livestock.
For producers who are looking for hay to purchase, locating a good supply may be more difficult than usual. With the weather we have experienced this year, quality is also an issue for livestock owners.
Hay producers who want to be listed in the Directory can call the Waldo County Extension office at 1-800-287-1426 (in Maine) or 207-342-5971. The following information is needed: name, address, type and volume of hay or silage available, whether or not transportation is offered. They can also email that information to Kersbergen at richardk@umext.maine.edu.
Farmers who need information about hay quality or producing a quality hay product can contact Cooperative Extension educators, including Kersbergen in Waldo County, Dick Brzozowski in Cumberland County (1-800-287-1471), or Chris Reberg-Horton in Orono (1-800-870-7270).