N.C. Tries to Get Hay to Cattle Farmers

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Gov. Mike Easley is urging North Carolina residents to redouble water conservation efforts through the holiday season, and officials will buy bales of hay for struggling farmers.

North Carolina continues to suffer through the worst drought in the state's recorded history, endangering the state's 800,000 heads of cattle because there hasn't been enough rain for hay to grow.

The Council of State agreed to let the state spend up to $3.5 million to purchase 100,000 bales of hay from out of state and transport it to North Carolina.

While details haven't been finalized, state officials hope they can use their bargaining power to purchase enough hay at a discount. Then farmers would reimburse the state for bales they purchase for their herds.

``It has a real potential to help a lot of small farmers who don't really have a lot of options right now,'' said Bundy Plyler, executive director of the 3,000-member North Carolina Cattlemen's Association. ``Even if it starts raining now, we're not out of the woods until the end of the winter.''

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said an organized search for hay is a better alternative than farmers selling their cattle to market to narrow their losses because they can't afford to feed cattle that usually would remain on the farm for a few more years.