Bales

Cullman County farmers reeling from the one-two punch of persistent drought and falling cattle prices have secured badly needed hay for their livestock through a local relief program.

More than 60 signed up to buy hay, procured from out of state, by noon Monday, the first day applications were accepted through the Cullman County Hay Relief Program, said Johnny Grantham with the Cullman Soil and Water Conservation District Office.

“Around 2,500 bales of hay have been obligated through those applications,” he said. “We’ve had huge turnout from local people, and we’re lining up trucks to bring more hay in.”

But the hay supply is finite. And that’s why farmers who want to apply to purchase hay — currently $30 per 4×5 bale— must do so by Tuesday, January 17. The Cullman Soil and Water Conservation District Office will be closed Monday, Jan. 16 in observance of the federal holiday for Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. but will reopen the following Tuesday.

Those in need of hay can fill out applications at the office, located at 501B Fourth St. S.W. in Cullman in the Cullman USDA building. Its hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Applications will be processed on a first come-first served basis. Hay is limited and will be distributed on at rationed amounts.

Once a farmer is approved, they will be contacted with a pick-up time and amount of hay that they have been approved for. The hay is being warehoused at the Cullman Agricultural Trade Center on U.S. 31.

The Cullman County Commission, Cullman County Cattleman Association, Cullman County Farmer’s Federation, Cullman Soil and Water Conservation District Office and Cullman County Economic Development have joined together to form the Cullman County Hay Relief Program.

Funds were collected to purchase hay and transport it to Cullman County from Arkansas and Kentucky.

Cullman County Commissioner Garry Marchman is the one who got this started,” Grantham said.

A $12,000 grant from the Cullman County Community Development Commission covers the transportation fees, and the $30 price is simply the cost of the hay, officials said.

Despite recent rainfall, cattle farmers are still suffering the effects of drought. According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, 67.3 percent of Cullman County is experiencing “extreme drought” (D3) which is just one level below the worst designation while the rest are in “severe drought” (D2).

For more information, call Travis Kress or Kathy Holmes at 256-734-1431.