State can help livestock farms defray feed costs
Livestock farmers can get information at informational meetings that begin today about a new state program to help pay the cost of feeding chickens, pigs and cattle.
The new Livestock Feed Reimbursement Program can use up to $6 million over two years to help livestock farmers struggling with the high cost of feed imported from the mainland, the state Agriculture Department said.
The Legislature intends the program to help Hawaii farmers remain competitive with mainland producers and contribute to Hawaii's food security. Under the program, qualified dairy, cattle, hog and poultry farms may apply for up to 60 percent of their documented feed expense, up to $250,000 per year.
To qualify for the program, 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 head annually.
Informational meetings will be held at the following locations and times:
» Oahu: today, 9 a.m., HDOA Plant Quarantine Conference Room, 1849 Auiki St.
» Big Island: tomorrow, 9 a.m., HDOA Hilo Office, 16 E. Lanikaula St.; and 2 p.m., HDOA Waimea Irrigation System Office, 66-1220B Lalamilo Road, Waimea
» Maui: Friday, 9 a.m., HDOA Office Conference Room, 635 Mua St., Kahului
» Kauai: Nov. 7, 9 a.m., HDOA Office, Conference Room, 4398-A Pua Loke St., Lihue
» Molokai: Nov. 8, 10 a.m., Molokai Irrigation System Office, Puupeelua Avenue, (next to post office), Hoolehua
More information is available at www.hawaii.gov/hdoa/
add/add_md/LFRP/LFRP.