A very favorable summer growing season over much of Michigan has produced a tremendous supply of surplus hay for many farms. According to Jerry Lindquist, the coordinator of the Michigan Hay Seller’s List and Michigan State University (MSU) County Extension Director, “Many farms went from empty barns in the spring to filling everything up and scrambling for extra storage space by mid-summer.”

“On the Michigan Hay Seller’s Listing on the Internet, over 70,000 tons of hay are for sale,” says Lindquist. Every type of hay is available. Hay prices are softening as producers realize how big the supply is across the state.

Anyone wishing to buy or sell hay can access the list on the Internet at www.msue.msu.edu/hay. Anyone not having Internet access should find a friend or local Extension officer that does. If all else fails, call Lindquist at 231/832-6139.

When obtaining a copy of the list, be specific as to what type of hay is desired (for example, alfalfa/grass mixed hay in small square bales); there are over 700 listings and the entire printout is over 100 pages in length