The high-quality beef that consumers buy is usually fed with hay that is produced during the spring. Hay auction prices indicate that the hay quality is competitive and quality hay is still being made, Carter said. Extraordinary hay crops, farmers say, allow them to produce high-quality beef and livestock. The hay that is there now is good quality if we can get it put up and preserved. Farmers harvest their hay crop between May and late summer in order to raise beef prime for the grill and...

Some producers in traditional Northwest hay areas have also either totally switched from hay to corn production or have planted corn after their first cutting of hay. Hay prices started to climb last winter when there was a shortage of hay because of poor harvesting conditions earlier in 2006, and now they re going to stay up because of increasing costs to grow it. Power rates are going up almost 15 percent, and pumps are necessary to irrigate hay fields beyond the spring rains in order to...

Hay reserves aren't nearly as plentiful as usual because of a subpar spring hay crop blamed on an early April freeze followed by the current dry spell. Garry Lacefield, a University of Kentucky extension forage specialist, estimated that statewide hay production was off at least 50 percent this spring. With much of the state in moderate to severe drought, hay is becoming a precious commodity in Kentucky, the nation's leading beef cattle producer east of the Mississippi River. Without some...

The topic has become a hot potato in the country following the revelation that a toxic chemical was discovered in imported pet food; this resulted in the death of some pets. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt speaking at what is being termed as a "strategic economic dialogue" involving scores of senior officials from both countries, said the recent events have highlighted concerns over the safety of food and medicine. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt speaking...

Awards will be given for the best legume hay, the best grass hay and the best mixed hay. Secondly, the freeze that we had in April had a major effect on different regions of the state, he said. The second session, given by Johnson, will emphasize topics related to the hay and silage producer. The first will demonstrate how to develop a grazing plan using the Chandlers acreage as an example. Forage Day also provides a forum for industry people to reach out to farmers and for farmers to see...