FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 22, 2007

Farmers can learn about baling cornstalks and soybean
plants for hay during workshop Aug. 31 in Whiteville

RALEIGH – Eastern North Carolina farmers can learn about baling cornstalks and soybean plants during a workshop at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31, at the Border Belt Tobacco Research Station in Whiteville.

“The drought has lowered yields for many corn and soybean farmers, but baling cornstalks and soybean plants for hay gives growers another marketable option,” said Rick Morris, regional agronomist with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “Our workshop will show farmers how to bale these plants for use as livestock feed. With the drought severely damaging hay supplies in the state, the need for alternative forages could be high this year.”

A forage specialist with N.C. Cooperative Extension will be on hand to discuss the nutritional value of baled corn and soybean fodder. The workshop also will cover topics such as whether baling these crops will affect crop insurance; the importance of testing for nitrates and aflatoxin; pesticide residues on soybean plants; and how to safely move baled forage to prevent the spread of noxious weeds and fire ants.

The Border Belt Research Station is located at 85 Border Belt Drive. For more information about the workshop, contact Morris at (910) 866-5485.

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