Making hay, the right way: Oregon farmers organize to market certified weed-free, premium hay

Rural Cooperatives, March-April, 2004 by Dan Schofer, Dan Sherwin, Penelope Diebel

Grower cooperatives and quasi-cooperative producer associations have a long tradition of using group action to establish or improve quality standards and to promote product uniformity for their crops and livestock. These efforts have often been key to creating new domestic and international markets. Such endeavors often include working closely with state and federal government agencies.

A recent example of this can be seen in northeast Oregon, where bay growers formed the Wallowa County Hay Growers Association in 2003 to tap into an expanding market for weed-free and premium forage products. In addition to improving market opportunities for its members, the hay association may also yield environmental benefits by helping to reduce the spread of noxious weeds on public and private lands.

Steering committee assesses opportunity

The organizing process began in February 2002, when a steering committee of five local growers began assessing different organizational possibilities. The committee held occasional discussions during the spring calving season and summer cutting season. In October 2002, the pace was ratcheted up, as the committee began meeting weekly to explore options in greater depth.

Growers wanted to maintain control of their own hay and to make their own sale decisions. Ultimately, it was decided to organize as a producers' association. The primary purpose of the hay association is to promote the quality and availability of weed-free and premium forage products produced by local farmers. The association provides customers--including brokers, exporters, ranchers, horse owners and back-country enthusiasts--with a single point of contact.

"We work through the association to find buyers and bring them to the growers for both weed-free and premium hay," says Jim Petty, a local grower and association board member. The association has developed a website: (http://www.certifiedwallowacountyhay.com) containing product descriptions and contact information. Those without Internet access may contact association President Mark Butterfield at (541) 432-3735.

Growers' goals defined

At a recent growers' meeting, Butterfield described the group's three main goals for the coming year:

* Establish and promote Wallowa County as a premier hay-growing region;

* Find and establish new markets, and

* Determine market needs (bale size, quality, weed-free, transportation, etc.).

"Customer service, in addition to quality, is important to keep a good reputation. The growers need to back up any sales with a quality product," Petty says.

There are currently 18 participating growers in the association who produce a variety of products, including alfalfa, alfalfa mixes, timothy mixes and wheat straw. These will be available as premium-quality products, judged by nutrient content, stage of maturity at harvest, harvest conditions, lack of weather damage, proper storage and customer preference.

Growers have adopted the standards set by the North American Weed Management Association (NAWMA). NAWMA is composed of weed managers in local, state and federal land agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, National Biological Survey and Bureau of Land Management. To meet NAWMA standards, forage products have to be found to be free of 54 noxious and invasive weed species.

Wallowa County has taken certification one step farther. For the 2003 season, the association had a "NAWMA Plus" line of hay which is free of the 54 weed species targeted by NAWMA, as well as of 18 other more common weeds. Wallowa County growers feel that this will ensure customer satisfaction. More information on NAWMA and its standards can be found at www.nawma.org.

Field inspections ensure quality

To maintain high-quality forage, field inspections and a stringent certification process are crucial. The Wallowa County government provides a third party inspection process through its vegetation manager (or a contractor). Cost for field inspections is $3 per acre, and requires 7-10 days' notice.

The inspector walks through the fields before harvest and lists all weeds found. Weed sites are tracked using a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit. Special areas of interest are field perimeters, drainage swells and power-line rights of way. A report lists any weeds present and indicates whether the field passed or failed. Fields can be reinspected, if the grower chooses.

It is not unusual for sections of fields to be accepted as "weed-free," excluding swaths around the perimeter. Weed-free forage is stored separately from other hay and straw.

The county, through its Wallowa County Weed-Free Forage Inspection Program, provides the farmer with a certificate of inspection and a separate transit certificate, if needed. This documentation is important to customers purchasing weed-free hay as well as local and state governments monitoring hay transportation.

John Williams, agriculture extension agent in Wallowa County, main-rains the inspection records and serves as the storefront for the association. Growers apply for field certification at the local Oregon State Extension office.