Serving Montana Agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky

Hay Hotline

Best Management Practices to Prevent Weed Spread from Hay

Prevent Weed Spread from Hay Factsheet 2021
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As Montana agricultural producers strive to find adequate feed for livestock during severe drought conditions and a damaging wildfire season, the Montana Department of Agriculture encourages producers to follow guidance and utilize available resources for out-of-state shipments of hay to prevent the spread of noxious weeds and other invasive pests.

Important Reminder: Hay from other states may contain noxious and invasive weed species, insect pests, and/or plant diseases. 

The MDA Noxious Weed Program is available to assist producers in their decision to use hay from out of state. Please reach out to Jasmine Chaffee, State Weed Coordinator, at (406) 444-3140 or JChaffee@mt.gov, or coordinate with your county weed district to discuss best practices and monitoring strategies.

The Montana Department of Agriculture’s Hay Hotline is an online portal where producers can donate, buy, or sell hay. Individuals needing donated hay or producers wanting to donate hay can go to the portal using the button " Go to the Hay Hotline Application Now" and create a listing by selecting “Create an Account”. Once created you will have access to "My Hay listings." Individuals can also search existing listings to see what is currently available.

To check for pricing before you list your forage, visit the USDA Montana Weekly Hay Market page. Listing prices on the Hay Hotline vary or are not listed.

Disclaimer

The Montana Department of Agriculture maintains this list as a service to the Agricultural industry and particularly to those in need of hay and those who have hay to supply. The department maintains this list and makes it available with the expectation that all buyers and sellers will treat each other in an equitable and lawful manner. The department makes no representations, express or implied as to the amount, kind or quality of hay listed or as to the character of the participants.

Hay Hotline FAQ

There are four ways to get your listing on the Hay Hotline:

    1. Enter your listing online using the Hay Hotline Application 
    2. Call (406) 444-2402.
    3. E-mail your information to agr@mt.gov.
    4. Fax your information to (406) 444-9442

Use the Search bar or the Available Hay Tile on the Hay Hotline page, then use the different search filters to find listings that suit your needs. Once you've found a hay source you believe may work for you, contact that producer directly using the contact information provided in each listing.

No, the service is entirely free of charge.

Donations can be listed on the Hay Hotline application: when adding your listing register an account and then use the My Hay Listings tile.