South Dakota Ranchers Encouraged to Apply for Donated Hay

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Agriculture officials are encouraging ranchers in disaster-declared counties to apply for donated hay bales.

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture will select the producers who will receive the hay based on the number of applications received, the amount of hay available and need. Recipients will be responsible for arranging the transportation of the hay and the associated costs.

Applications will be accepted through Oct. 9. They can be found on the department's website.

Agriculture officials are also encouraging some producers to donate the baled residue to the department rather than destroying it.

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