FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 10, 2007

Troxler urges farmers to act now to buy hay, feed
for livestock before winter arrives

WAYNESVILLE – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler today urged North Carolina livestock owners to act now to buy hay and feed for their animals for the winter.

“Some livestock owners might be thinking that they have plenty of time to stock their barns with hay or alternative feed for the winter, but that isn’t the case,” Troxler said during a drought briefing for media at the Mountain Research Station. “Corn stover is suitable for feeding cattle and horses, but the supply is dwindling quickly. Farmers need to buy now while this feed is available. Don’t wait until the barn is empty.”

Troxler also announced that Golden Hay Relief, a program that offers assistance with in-state hay-transportation expenses, is expanding its scope to include horses in addition to cattle, sheep and goats.

The program is made possible by a $500,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation. The program can help livestock producers pay for transportation of hay and alternative feeds, such as cornstalks and soybean hay, purchased in North Carolina and trucked to their farms. Livestock owners will be reimbursed a percentage of their transportation costs, not to exceed 50 percent.

“The Golden LEAF Foundation wants to assist livestock operations in the state through this program,” said Valeria Lee, president of Golden LEAF.

Livestock owners must submit an application to the NCDA&CS by Dec. 31. Applications and eligibility criteria are available on the NCDA&CS Hay Alert Web site, www.ncagr.com/HayAlert. Farmers also can request an application by calling toll free 1-866-506-6222 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

-bal 2,3,4-