Hay Buying Seminar For Horse Owners At Michigan Ag Expo

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Like nearly everything else, the cost of horse hay is increasing. Buyers who want to purchase a quality product and sellers who want to provide a marketable commodity can attend an educational seminar during Ag Expo, July 15 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Michigan State University (MSU).

The seminar will be presented by MSU Extension specialist Karen Waite in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources tent.

“We’ll be talking about different types of hay that horse owners might want to consider feeding and ways to plan and make hay purchasing decisions, since it will likely be in short supply again this year,” Waite says. “We’ll also have information for people who want to make hay and sell it to horse people.”

Waite will provide information to both buyers and sellers of horse hay so that they may make informed decisions in their purchases and planting and management. She says that horse owners often buy hay instead of growing it themselves for a variety of reasons.

“More than anything, making hay is kind of a difficult process,” she points out. “Most horse owners don’t have the equipment to cut, rake and bale, or the necessary land base. Also, some of our horse owners are new to agriculture, and they may need some more information.”

Ag Expo features commercial farm equipment from throughout the Midwest and several Canadian provinces on the 35-acre main exhibition site and the 40-acre field demonstration area, as well as educational exhibits from several MSU colleges and departments.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 15 and 16, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 17. Admission to the grounds and parking at Farm Lane and Mt. Hope Road are free. Because of the construction on Farm Lane, the Ag Expo parking area and grounds will be accessible only from Mt Hope.

For more information about Ag Expo, call 800-366-7055 or visit www.agexpo.msu.edu. 

Source: www.agexpo.msu.edu