The Iowa Department of Agriculture is encouraging Iowa hay and straw producers to use the Iowa Hay & Straw Directory to register their listings of hay and straw for sale. If you already have previous information posted on the Iowa Hay and Straw Directory, you need to update your information. 

The directory lists Iowans who have hay and straw for sale, as well as organizations and businesses associated with promoting and marketing quality hay and straw. This online directory is a free service offered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture that helps both buyers and sellers of Iowa hay and straw connect with each other.

"This directory is designed to help both buyers and sellers by listing Iowa growers who have hay and straw and straw available," says Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.  "This directory has proven to be a valuable asset to Iowa farmers and we encourage those people who can use the directory to take full advantage of this resource."

Listing of hay and straw for sale is available to buyers nationwide

The list is available to interested buyers throughout the nation, however only sellers from within Iowa can be included on the list. Names are gathered throughout the year with added emphasis now that hay harvest has started. Sections in the Hay & Straw Directory are "Forage for Sale," "Forage Auctions," "Hay Associations," "Forage Dealers," "Hay Grinders" and "Custom Balers."

Farmers interested in listing should visit the state ag department's website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov.  An application form can be found by going to the "Bureaus" link and then selecting "Agricultural Marketing."  Then click on "Hay & Straw Directory" link at the bottom of the page.

For those people without internet access, please call the Hay/Straw Hotline at 800-383-5079. The department will fax or send you a printed copy of the application to be filled out.

The department is also supporting the Iowa Crop Improvement Association's "Iowa Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage and Mulch Certification Program."  Through this program Iowa forage and mulch producers can take advantage of many emerging market opportunities for "Certified Weed Free" products. For more specific information on this program producers should contact the Iowa Crop Improvement Association at 515-294-6921. More information can also be found by visiting www.agron.iastate.edu/icia.