October 30, 2007

Hawaii allocates livestock funds to ease high feed costs

Livestock farmers in Hawaii can now get at ease in paying for feed costs with its new state programme that earmarks funds to help farmers struggling with high feed prices.

The new Livestock Feed Reimbursement Programme can use up to US$6 million over two years to ease high feed prices feed imported from the mainland, the state Agriculture Department said.

The programme intends to help Hawaii farmers remain competitive with mainland producers and contribute to Hawaii's food security. Under the programme, qualified dairy, cattle, hog and poultry farms may apply for up to 60 percent of their documented feed expense, up to US$250,000 per year.

To qualify, a farm must be in the business of producing milk from a herd of not less that 350 cows, poultry from a flock of not less than 3,000 birds, pork from a herd of not less than 50 sows or beef producers who finish at least 100 heads annually.

Informational meetings will be held at the following locations and times:

• Kauai: Nov. 7, 9 a.m., HDOA Office, Conference Room, 4398-A Pua Loke St., Lihu
  
  
• Molokai: Nov. 8, 10 a.m., Molokai Irrigation System Office, Puupeelua Avenue, (next to post office), Hoolehua