LAKEPORT – Quality hay is always in demand in the North Coast, which doesn’t grow all of the feed that it needs for the cows, horses, sheep and goats in the area.

Locally, there are many fields growing only weeds that could be growing good hay. Hay could earn some income for the landowner, make their property look better and reduce the summer fire hazard all at the same time.

If you are interested in learning more on the subject, come to the Hay Meeting sponsored by University of California Cooperative Extension and Agro Tech on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Rancho de la Fuente (a wheelchair accessible facility), 2290 Soda Bay Road in Lakeport.

The meeting takes place from 9 a.m. until noon.

The featured speaker is Farm Advisor Steve Orloff, a hay expert from Siskiyou County who will talk about farming practices, markets and costs of growing irrigated hay in Northern California.

Local UC Plant Science Farm Advisor Glenn McGourty will discuss options for dry land hay growing. UC Livestock Farm Advisor John Harper will present information on important considerations of animal feed quality and, finally, local growers Brent Holdenried and Frank Perez along with Dave Hatanaka of Dave’s Hay Barn will share some of their experiences growing hay.

There is no charge to attend, however, please call Marc Hooper at Agro Tech, 279-4654, to register.

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