The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) says it has begun work to facilitate a “Hay West” initiative to send surplus hay from farmers in Eastern Canada to those struggling in the West with drought conditions and feed shortages.
The first Hay West initiative occurred in 2002 when Prairie farmers were facing similar drought conditions. Ten years later the situation was reversed, where Western farmers sent hay East to help farms stricken with drought.
In a release, CFA president Mary Robinson said the CFA “is currently in the initial stages of facilitating a new Hay West program. We have our staff as well as a third-party working towards determining how much of a hay surplus is available, and are looking to work with the railways and the government to help these farmers that are in dire need of feed for their animals.”
Read Also
Handling system familiarization lowers animal stress
At Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, sheep specialist Delma Kennedy stressed familiarization, good facility design, and calm handling to improve flock management.
“We believe this initiative will help ease some of the stress that Western farmers are dealing with,” she said.
The CFA said it will provide more information on the Hay West initiative as the details become available, and will be working closely with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that farmers are supported and surplus hay reaches those that need it.
