Sun, Oct 12 2008
| Breaking News: Glasgow wins state girls golf championship October 09, 2008 01:01 pm |
|
Published July 07, 2008 03:06 pm - The cost to produce hay has gone up drastically for south-central Kentucky farmers compared to what they paid last year. Hay production costs rise By GINA KINSLOW Glasgow Daily Times PARK CITY — The cost to produce hay has gone up drastically for south-central Kentucky farmers compared to what they paid last year.
“It’s gone up twice as much,” said Kenneth Haines Jr., who raises registered beef cattle near Park City. “The fertilizer has doubled and the seed has gone way up. It’s not a good time.” Although Haines is paying more to produce hay to feed his cattle, he says he’s not doing anything different from what he has done in the past. “I just have to purchase hay,” he said. “I can’t raise enough to make it.” Dry weather is the primary reason why Haines and other south-central Kentucky cattle farmers are having problems growing enough hay to feed their herds. “Last summer’s drought affected a lot of the pastures,” Haines said. Because it was so dry last summer, the pastures this year are not as thick and therefore there isn’t enough hay to go around. Haines has reseeded his pastures, but the month of June was dry so he says his efforts are probably not going to pay off. “We’re looking at another year before we can come out of it,” he said. “It’s just one of those things we have to deal with.” Gary Tilghman, agriculture Extension agent for Barren County, says hay producers are saying it is costing them anywhere from $15 to $20 to produce one roll of hay. The things that are driving up the cost, aside from dry weather, he said, is the cost of farm equipment and fuel to run it, among other input costs, such as fertilizer. “The fertilizer costs have skyrocketed,” Tilghman said. “It requires fertilizer in the right amounts to raise any type of plant, in this case forages, but those costs have gotten higher. If you don’t put it on, you’re going to suffer a yield with a lot of it.” Tilghman works with farmers to teach them more efficient ways to use fertilizer. “We recommend soil sampling and fertilizing according to the sample findings,” he said. “That’s one way to look at using fertilization at a more efficient way.” He also works with farmers to find different ways to maintain livestock. Rather than feeding cattle rolls or bales of hay, Tilghman suggests farmers implement grazing practices. 
More from the Agriculture section
Livestock Reports: September 29 - 30, 2008 ’Tis pumpkin season round here |
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
 |
 |
 |
||||||
|
||||||
 |
© 2008, The Glasgow Daily Times 100 Commerce Drive Glasgow, KY 42142 Phone: (270) 678-5171 |
Popular Business directory links - Glasgow Apartments | Glasgow Attorneys | Glasgow Auto Dealers | Glasgow Auto Parts | Glasgow Auto Repair | Glasgow Beauty Salons | Glasgow Car Rental | Glasgow Dentists | Glasgow Doctors | Glasgow Flowers | Glasgow Hotels | Glasgow Insurance | Glasgow Loans | Glasgow Mortgages | Glasgow Movers | Glasgow Pizza | Glasgow Realtors | Glasgow Restaurants | Glasgow Storage | Glasgow Tax Preparation | Glasgow Travel | Glasgow Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |