Published: August 01, 2007 05:32 pm            

‘Hay List’ available to farmers needing forage due to drought conditions

Can list forage needs, availability

As farmers across much of Minnesota struggle with a second consecutive summer of drought conditions, some are finding it increasingly difficult to provide forage for their livestock. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture urges producers in this situation to take advantage of the “Hay List” — an internet-based service matching farmers needing forage with those who have forage to sell or donate.

The Upper Midwest Hay List is operated by the University of Minnesota Extension Service, in partnership with the Extension services of Illinois, Wisconsin and South Dakota. The website is www.haylist.umn.edu, and there is a link to the site on the MDA homepage at www.mda.state.mn.us.

The Hay List is a self-service tool that enables buyers and sellers of hay, straw and corn silage in the United States and Canada to announce and search available or needed hay lots and to view hay lot summary data. There is no charge to list hay or to search hay listings, and lots are not required to be located within the sponsoring states.

Users do not need to register with the system for searches, but are required to register to enter buyer or seller lots. Registration provides a Hay List ID that allows users to easily revise, add or remove lots. Buyer and seller lots can be searched by a number of criteria, including hay type, bale type, geographic proximity and state or province. Lot postings remain in the system for 60 days.

Sellers assume all responsibility for accurately listing their hay lots. Users should be aware that information is not verified by the sponsoring organizations.

Producers who have hay they would like to donate to livestock producers in flood or drought areas should note that in the Comments section of a normally-priced Seller listing. For additional information about the Hay List, farmers can contact Paul Peterson, with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, by e-mail at peter072@umn.edu or by telephone at (612) 625-3747.

        

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