COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers and ranchers across the United States have a free, easy-to-use tool from University of Missouri Extension to help them buy or sell hay.
The mobile-friendly online sourcing platform helps farmers and ranchers locate feedstuff products and see pricing in areas where they would be willing to travel, says MU Extension assistant professor Ryan Milhollin. The resource is especially helpful during drought and when transportation is an issue,
Feedstuff Finder provides sellers an easy way to list hay, baleage, silage or coproducts, Milhollin says. Sellers are listed by name, location, phone number and email contact. Quantities, product types, product details and costs can also be included.
Feedstuff Finder also gives users a quick, simple way to calculate a delivered feedstuff cost from a seller so buyers can determine the true cost of their feedstuff, he says. Additionally, users can apply filters to easily compare costs and sort out various feedstuffs.
MU Extension livestock specialist Gene Schmitz says hay buyers and sellers Feedstuff Finder’s ease of use and the amount of information it provides.
“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 says farmers like the finder, in part, because they do not have to set up an account to use it. “This free web-based tool from MU Extension helps buyers make good decisions and helps sellers find markets for their products,” he says.
MU Extension launched Feedstuff Finder in 2024 with support from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and North Central Extension Risk Management Education.