The Ontario Hay and Forage Co-operative now has the money to do a feasibility study and business plan for it’s proposed double-compaction hay processing facility.

The just over 81 thousand dollars comes from the Agricultural Adaptation Council’s Growing Forward 2 funding.

The co-operative wants to tap into export markets for superior forages – particularly in Asia and the Middle East.

It’s planning to work with producers to establish on-farm hay-drying facilities.

The Co-operative’s proposed double-compaction facility would have the capacity for up to 100 thousand tonens of Ontario hay a year.

Member producers will be both entitled and obligated to deliver hay to the Co-operative.

Profits would be shared among members based on the volume of hay they ship to the Co-operative.

The website is www.ontariohay.ca.