Many farmers across a lot of Virginia do not have an adequate quantity of hay for their livestock this winter.  Almost all of Virginia, a significant portion of West Virginia and a lot of North Carolina, have been in a drought and both hay and pasture yields are low.  Thus, securing additional hay for most producers will need to come from further away than normal.  Below is some information that you may find helpful in securing hay from out of state.

 

• Financial Assistance is Available:  Contact your USDA Farm Service Agency Office to check on your eligibility for drought/disaster assistance, as it relates to hay needs and hay/pasture loss.  There is a USDA FSA Program titled “ELAP” (Emergency Assistance for Livestock Program) that provides assistance for hay transport (Shenandoah, Page, Clarke, Frederick and Warren are eligible).  There is also a USDA FSA Program titled LFP (Livestock Forage Program).  Presently, Shenandoah, Page and Frederick Counties are eligible for the LFP (Livestock Forage Program), because they are contiguous to Counties that are in the Primary Disaster Area (but not Warren and Clarke).  Eligibility is increasing as decisions are made.  Check with your respective FSA Office on your eligibility.

            USDA FSA Strasburg Office 540-465-2424 (extension #2)

            USDA FSA  Harrisonburg Office 540-534-3104

 

• Locating Sources of Hay Far Away:  Extension is not leading a donated hay effort for this drought.  However, we are working to help facilitate farmers locating hay longer distances away.  Stephanie Cornell (State Extension Advisory Council Chair and a County Farm Bureau Chair) is helping to support agents and producers by connecting buyers and sellers of hay.  Think of this effort as a modernized Hay Clearinghouse. Ms. Cornnell has fire ant inspected hay sources, prices for out-of-state suppliers, and continues to work to expand this network.  If you need for an Extension Agent to enter your name into the hay list managed by Stephanie Cornell, feel free to contact us (our contacts are below)

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=oAIa13yg6E2dCbEQtGlGKIULqZkV8apPs6XOkHGz0oRUOVpKMEFSSFZHSUZRSktBNzNVNElESkQ2RC4u . 

 

• Locating Sources of Hay within Virginia:  The VA Department of Ag Hay Clearing House is also available for more local hay:

https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/hay.pdf

 

Below are phone numbers for the four Northern Shenandoah Valley Extension Agents who are focused on supporting livestock producers with information about locating hay and securing alternative types of feed for your livestock.  Please reach out if we can be of assistance.  

 

                Elizabeth Baldwin  540-778-5794

                Bobby Clark  540-459-6140

                Cynthia Fairbanks  540-635-4549

                Liz Rohrer  540-955-5614