Ask SAM: Is your horse a locavore?

This column is provided by Larimer County Extension's Small Acreage Management (SAM) Program to assist rural residents.

Dear SAM,

Are there any advantages to buying locally grown hay for my horse?

Michael

Dear Michael,

A locavore is someone who prefers to eat locally grown foods. Human locavores are motivated by a desire to support local farmers, reduce the carbon footprint of the foods they eat and other issues related to sustainability.

But what about your horse? Are there benefits to buying local hay?

Some benefits of buying local hay are similar to those noted for human foods. Locally grown hay is not transported long distances, saving fuel dollars and reducing the carbon footprint of the feed. About 7 gallons of fuel are needed to move a ton of hay 100 miles in a one-ton pickup truck. Buying local can save close to a dollar per bale in transportation costs.

Supporting local hay producers helps to preserve farmland, which is open space we all enjoy. Hay crops cover more than 30,000 acres of farmland in Larimer County, about 50 percent of all harvested acres in the county. There are more acres than all the land owned by the Larimer County Open Lands Program. The open space provided by our farmers comes at no charge. We just need to keep them in business.

Imported hay carries the risk of bringing new weeds to our area. While we have our share of challenging weeds in northern Larimer County, we are currently free of menaces such as yellow starthistle. Livestock feed is a pathway for noxious weeds such as starthistle to invade our landscape. Reducing hay imports reduces the risk of weed imports.

When you buy hay from the farmer next door, you get to watch your hay being produced. You'll know if it is free from weeds or if it was baled before the rains came. You will also form a relationship with the producer. This builds trust and confidence that you are getting a quality product. During drought or other periods of hay shortages, producers are likely to sell their limited supplies to loyal, local customers.

As the number of horse properties has increased, our local farmers have responded by growing more acres of brome, orchardgrass and grass-alfalfa hay. These are high-quality, nutritious horse feeds. Why shop anywhere else?

Consider turning your horse into a locavore. You'll protect the landscape, reduce your carbon footprint and support the farmer next door.

SAM

Have a question about rural living? Write to Ask SAM, Larimer County Cooperative Extension, 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524 or e-mail emarx@larimer.org.