Farmers concerned about hay supply call for government support

Hay is booming here in Comfort Cove Newstead. The owners of 3C Farms say they can't keep up with demand, so they're expanding. And quickly. That might be good for business for Stephen and Jessica Cuff, but the two say a shortage could leave farmers with livestock without feed. With such a shortage, we're not able to take on anybody extra. So anybody new trying to get into livestock or growing their herds or flocks or anything like that, we're not able to keep up with the demand and the growing demand that the province would like to see in the coming years. Stephen Cuff says a wetter summer this year meant he couldn't get a three or four day stretch with good weather. That caused a delay in his first cut of the season. You would cut later in the season, which then wouldn't give you a time to get a second cut, a good second cut in. And it just creates a shortage right across the province, really. The hay feeds cows, sheep, goats, horses, and Newfoundland ponies. Last year, the province had to import hay by truck because conditions were too dry. While conditions have improved this year, the co-ops say farms are out of reserves. Trucking it in is only a short-term solution. The two are calling for more government funding and support for new hay farms, and for existing hay farmers to expand production. The last couple of years we have tried to get some funding, but we have been declined unfortunately. Hopefully this year we can turn that around. The Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands said it is currently getting feedback from farmers to develop a 10-year agriculture strategy. The department says they are not aware of widespread hay production challenges this year, but says some producers have raised concerns about forage supplies. Back on the Cuffs farm, demand for hay is about twice what they can produce. There is a shortage. We will run out. The two plan to be in the hay business for decades to come, but say government support is needed to expand the industry to meet demand. Sanuta Ranawake, CBC News, Comfort Cove, Newstead.