By Blake Jackson
Farmers and ranchers throughout the U.S. now have access to a free, mobile-friendly tool from University of Missouri Extension to help buy or sell hay more efficiently.
Feedstuff Finder, an easy-to-use online platform, allows users to locate feedstuff products and compare pricing in regions they are willing to travel, says Ryan Milhollin, MU Extension assistant professor. This tool is particularly valuable during times of drought or when transportation poses challenges.
The platform offers a straightforward way for sellers to list available feedstuffs such as hay, baleage, silage, and coproducts. Listings include seller name, location, phone number, email, product type, quantity, details, and pricing.
Buyers benefit from the ability to quickly calculate delivered feedstuff costs, helping them understand the actual cost of purchasing feed. The tool also includes filters to sort and compare products based on price and other factors.
MU Extension livestock specialist Gene Schmitz highlights the platform’s usefulness, especially its ability to display detailed nutritional and product information.
“The ability to include nutritional information and other pertinent details about the feedstuff is very useful to help prospective buyers determine the value of feeds they are considering purchasing,” Schmitz says. “Delivery costs can easily be overlooked, so the delivery cost feature is particularly useful, especially when comparing similar feeds from different locations.”
Milhollin emphasizes that no account setup is required. “This free web-based tool from MU Extension helps buyers make good decisions and helps sellers find markets for their products,” he says.
Feedstuff Finder was launched by MU Extension in 2024 with funding from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and North Central Extension Risk Management Education.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ianchrisgraham
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Hay & Forage