Bismarck, N.D. — The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has reopened its Hay Hotline, offering ranchers a centralized way to request hay, list surplus supplies for sale or donation and find pasture or hayland to rent.
How the Hay Hotline works
The department is directing producers to two primary ways to participate: an online self-service map where users can view available hay and pasture listings, and an online form to add hay, pasture or rental listings to the Hay Hotline database. A staffed phone line is also available for those who prefer to speak with someone directly.
- Phone: 701-328-5110 (weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- Online: Hay Hotline map and Hay Hotline online form on the North Dakota Department of Agriculture website
- Reporting: Producers are asked to report drought conditions to the National Drought Mitigation Center
“Ranchers who need hay, or those with hay to sell or with pasture or hayland to rent may use our online form and map, or give us a call,”
Ag Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “Your name and information will be entered into the Hay Hotline database to be matched up with others.”
Why the hotline matters now
State-run directories like the Hay Hotline play a practical role when forage supplies tighten. By centralizing offers and needs, the program helps reduce time spent by individual producers trying to locate resources across a wide geography. The department’s request that producers report drought conditions to the National Drought Mitigation Center underscores continuing concerns about moisture and forage availability in parts of North Dakota.
For ranchers facing reduced pasture production or unexpected losses in stored feed, immediate access to hay or rental pasture can be critical to herd health and to limiting emergency sales. The Hay Hotline allows both buyers and sellers to post details that include location and availability, helping match local need with nearby supply.
Practical considerations for users
Producers who use the Hay Hotline should be prepared to share practical details that make matching simpler and faster. Typical information to have on hand includes:
- Type of hay (e.g., grass, alfalfa),
- Amount available or amount needed,
- Approximate location or county, and
- Whether delivery or on-site pickup is preferred.
While those are common data points, the Hay Hotline’s online form and map are designed to accept the particulars producers wish to include. Producers who are uncomfortable with online tools can call the hotline number during weekday business hours to have their information entered by staff.
Statewide coordination and drought reporting
The department is also encouraging producers to report drought impacts to the National Drought Mitigation Center. Those reports contribute to statewide drought assessments and can influence resource planning. Accurate and timely reporting helps state and national agencies maintain an up-to-date picture of conditions that affect feed availability, water supplies and grazing capacity.
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone hotline | 701-328-5110 (weekdays, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) |
| Online resources | Hay Hotline map and online form on the ND Department of Agriculture website |
| Drought reporting | Report conditions to the National Drought Mitigation Center |
The department’s announcement did not include statewide figures for current hay inventories or a breakdown of drought severity by county. Producers seeking immediate assistance should consult the hotline or the department’s web resources for the latest postings and to add their own listings.
For ranchers and landowners, the Hay Hotline is a practical tool to bridge supply and demand during tight forage conditions. The combination of an interactive map and staffed telephone assistance aims to make resource-sharing simpler across North Dakota’s rural landscape.
Contact the North Dakota Department of Agriculture Hay Hotline at 701-328-5110 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit the department’s website to view or add listings.
