Cooperative Extension has undertaken a coordinated effort to compile the latest information available to help farmers make the best decisions possible in coping with the worst drought in several decades. The severe rainfall deficit this summer coupled with an early spring freeze has caused a tremendous shortage in feed for livestock and large yield losses in corn and soybeans. A recent survey of 63 counties in North Carolina estimated that an additional 800,000 round bales of hay will be needed to feed the beef and dairy cattle in the state during the normal winter feeding period. This hay is not available without significant transportation cost, which makes it financially unrealistic for most operations.

Cooperative Extension has worked with numerous other agencies to post current drought management information on a single website:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/disaster/drought
This site contains information for all plant and livestock industries including lawns and ornamentals, livestock, crops and timber. The livestock section is quite extensive and includes topics such as harvesting and feeding cornstalks for beef cattle, harvesting soybeans for hay, financial and economic considerations for beef cattle operations, culling priorities for beef cattle and supplemental feeding options for hay shortages.

Upcoming files will include the use of winter annuals for grazing beef animals. Producers that do not have internet access may contact their Extension Center for a copy of the information.

Crop producers that have residues available for crop feeding should contact livestock producers in their community that may wish to purchase this material to use as feed for cattle. Corn stalks that are left behind a grain harvesting operation or soybeans that are not expected to make a suitable grain crop are good alternative feed materials for cows. Cattle producers may be able to feed equal amounts of corn stalks and soybean hay for a balanced diet without requiring any further supplementation. Local cooperation between crop and cattle producers may benefit both parties – crop producers can receive income from the sale of crop residues or damaged crops and livestock producers can get an acceptable forage source to help feed their animals. The website mentioned above contains information on how to determine a value for these materials so both parties can negotiate a suitable transaction.

Corn residue should be harvested and baled as soon as possible after grain harvest and stored out of the weather. The material is very course and the bales will not shed water effectively if stored outside. Spoilage losses will be great if not stored appropriately so producers should make the necessary arrangements very soon if corn stalks are to be utilized.

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Some corn producers in eastern North Carolina are harvesting this material and are willing to sell it an a very economical price, so contact your local Extension Agent or NCDA Regional Agronomist for contact information.

Soybean producers should carefully scout their crop to determine if a grain harvest is possible on their acres. The dry weather has limited bloom and pod set and the grain yield is limited on many fields. The amount of time available for pod development until the first frost of autumn is lessening every day, so producers should objectively evaluate their options to determine the best financial strategy.

Soybean hay should contain approximately 15% protein and over 60 % TDN, so they are an excellent forage option for livestock producers. The feeding value of this material is generally of greater value than the average grass hay that is fed in most years, provided the leaf material is maintained in the harvesting process. Soybean producers should contact livestock owners in their community if hay harvest is determined to be a better financial decision than harvesting for grain.

An information session for horse owners is scheduled for September 18 at 7 PM at the Northbrook Community Center. Dr. Bob Mowrey, Extension Horse Husbandry Specialist and other local Extension Agents will cover a variety of topics to help horse producers evaluate their options in dealing with the hay shortage. All interested horse owners are invited to attend.

Specific, detailed information on evaluating the options on your farm are available by contacting your local Cooperative Extension Center.