[Jacob-list] Hay

[Cathy Robinson]

I also have wondered how widespread  the hay shortage is--where are the 
critical areas and where is hay available?

We are located just east of the western NC mountain region; there is no 
local hay available here and there hasn't been any for a couple of 
months.  Most of North Carolina is in the "extreme drought" category.  
Here we are at least 15" behind in rainfall.

There are some people starting to bring hay in from other places...most 
common sources are Pennsylvania and New York thus far.  I made lots of 
calls last week from numbers I obtained from area ad paper and the NC 
Dept. of Ag. website.  Average price for this "imported" hay is 
currently $8-$12 a bale (50-55# only) but that is if you are close 
enough to the supplier and/or order enough that they will deliver. Most 
people anticipate that price will go even higher as we enter the fall 
and winter months.  I called one place that had been recommended to 
me...they were an hour away and would deliver if we ordered a minimum 
of  250 bales.  It's pretty grim.

Cathy
Perfect Spot Farm

Mary Spahr wrote:

> How widespread is the hay shortage this year?  We are located in Ohio, 

> and everyone in our area is wondering how their animals will survive 

> the winter.  I am prepared to sell most of our flock, but still want 

> to retain some old Puddleduck Sir James daughters and several other of 

> our ewes with old bloodlines.  Does anyone know of a source for decent 

> hay?

>  

> Mary Spahr

> Spahr Farm