FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, AUG. 20, 2007

Livestock farmers can learn about using bales of cornstalks,
soybean hay as feed Aug. 24 in Waynesville

RALEIGH – Western North Carolina livestock farmers whose hay supply is dwindling because of the drought can learn about alternative feeds such as baled corn stalks during a workshop at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville. The workshop is free.

“Many Western North Carolina farmers have never seen or handled baled cornstalks or soybean hay,” said Bill Yarborough, regional agronomist with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “We’re giving them the opportunity to see and touch this baled forage. With little hay to be found in North Carolina and surrounding states, corn and soybean fodder that is baled after grain harvest is an option that might work for some farmers.”

A forage specialist with N.C. Cooperative Extension will be on hand to discuss the nutritional value of this feed and provide information about how to use it.

The Mountain Research Station is located at 265 Test Farm Road. For more information about the workshop, contact Yarborough at (828) 456-3943.

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