In a cooperative effort to help North Carolina's drought-stressed cattle producers, the North Carolina Cattlemen's Association has been asked to help compile a list of custom balers across the state who would be interested in harvesting alternative feed sources (corn stover and soybean fodder).  Here is what the cooperative effort is thinking.  Crop producers usually do not have baling equipment and even if they do, many need to focus on running combines.  Timing is critical here, and if these alternative crops are going to be used, they need to be baled soon after combining.  Also, custom balers are also hay sellers and dealers, many of which are without a significant source of there income this year.

Would you be willing to custom bale corn stover and/or soybean fodder for someone in your area?  Would you be willing to let someone else come in and bale your left over corn stover or soybean fodder?  We are working to establish a statewide database.  Please contact the Brunswick County Extension Office at (910) 253-2610 as soon as possible if you are interested in helping with these efforts.  NCDA Commissioner Troxler ultimately wants to use this list in conjunction with the department's Hay Alert website.  Ideally, the list would include custom balers who you know would be available and have some feel for the charges on a per bale basis. 

Time is of the essence, and we really hope this opportunity can help both hay harvesters/sellers and livestock producers seeking feed.  NCDA is working out the hauling logistics.  We are very concerned that a third of the state's cattle producers are in a serious situation. 

For more information on coping with this year’s drought, please click on this link to read the article, “Coping with Drought: Evaluating the Economics for Livestock Producers’ Options” by Dr. Geoff Benson, Extension Economist, with the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at North Carolina State University.

Click here for the Brunswick County Cooperative Extension Environmental Scan for Agricultural Producers 

READ THIS: Soybeans as forage for grazing, hay or silage

Where can I buy or sell hay?

The NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services offers the HAY ALERT WEBSITE and HOTLINE:  www.ncagr.com/HayAlert or call 1-866-506-6222 It is also important to test forage & grains for nitrate & alfatoxin levels to avoid production losses.  Contact the NCDA&CS Food & Drug Protection Division, (919) 733-7366.

 Web Resources

NCDA&CS Drought Resource Information Page, www.ncagr.com/drought 

N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council (latest drought status), www.ncdrought.org 

N.C. Cooperative Extension (drought management information for a variety of commodities), www.ces.ncsu.edu/disaster/drought/