We have sold out of hay. Given the hay shortage this year, we are getting an unusual number of calls from people looking for hay, so I wanted to post the following information in case it helps someone.
https://extension.umaine.edu/livestock/hay/ Cooperative Extension (CE) maintains separate lists of hay and straw producers. As of early December, a lot of people have sold out. Speaking only for our little hay operation, we were not able to hay at all in July due to weather, which is when we normally put up most of our hay volume.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/414887715356790/
You can post what hay you need and where you are located, and someone may respond. Also, this
Facebook page might be particularly helpful in unusual times, as it can
include postings from people who decide to ship hay in from other parts
of the country and resell, or small buyers who want to sell what they
have for whatever reason. These folks won't necessarily be on the list maintained by CE.Your Local Feed Store. Some local feed stores, such as Blue Seal or Farmers Union, may sell bales of hay. In normal times, they will usually cost more than buying from a farm, but in a shortage or if you need to drive far to a farm, the price difference may be minimal.
This Maine Cooperative Extension Webinar that may be of interest. Note that you need to register, and can do that from the link. I'm posting about this webinar before it airs, so I only have the following information from the CE webpage:
"Many livestock and equine owners in Maine purchase all of their hay
and forage needs for winter. While this year’s growing season started
out well, forage growth was reduced due to low rainfall in most of the
state, especially for second and third hay cuttings.
This webinar will be presented at 10 a.m. and will be repeated at 6 p.m."
