Utah's Department of Agriculture and Food has set up a hotline to let local farmers help drought-stricken ranchers in Florida.
A prolonged drought has greatly reduced the amount of grass available for feed in Florida, the department said. That compounds earlier losses due to flooding in the state.In response to the problem, Utah State University's Cooperative Extension Service has established a "hay hotline" at 1-800-891-0745. The hotline will be activated Monday. Utah farmers who wish to sell or donate hay can call the number to make their names available to Florida ranchers. Extension agents will help bring the parties together.
The department also is providing a list of Utah's hay and alfalfa producers to Florida ranchers.