Western Truckers Asked to Help Haul Hay East

EDMONTON — The Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) is asking its members to donate trucking services to help haul hay from Alberta and Saskatchewan to Ontario and Quebec, as part of an initiative called “HayEast 2012.”

Ontario and the Pontiac County of western Quebec have experienced severe drought this year, and local farmers could use a bit of help.

“The situations in parts of Ontario are not good. The early spring weather coupled with the hard frost in April managed to kill the alfalfa in many areas. The drought has eliminated second cut in many areas as well. There is no pasture left due to the drought and the corn is not even fit for chopping as early feed. Some herds have been liquidated and others are pending,” said Neil Currie, General Manger of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

In 2002, after a severe drought, more than 1,800 farmers in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia donated 35,000 tons of hay to 1000 farmers in Alberta and Saskatchewan chosen by a lottery. The initiative was called “HayWest.”

You don’t have be a member of the AMTA to help, either. Visit www.hayeast2012.com or call 1-855-429-2012. AMTA said there is also a need for hay to be transported from farm locations to collection spots for loading for rail movement.