Basin Farmer President of National Hay Association

Bob Eckenberg, a Columbia Basin hay grower, is the new president of the National Hay Association and he hopes to expand outreach on NHA efforts through the use of technology noting, “It’s not easy to get this information out in a timely manner where people feel informed and engaged. That’s one of my biggest goals for this year.”

As President, Eckenberg will also host the National Hay Convention in Pasco, something he says will allow everyone to see the hay growing regions in the state.

Eckenberg is positive about the 2016 season, especially with the port slowdown over.

“We want to keep things moving. That’s a big key to any supply chain is movement and when movement stopped for four months other people in the world took our marketplace or other people in the U.S. take our place.”

Eckenberg did note that it will be important for alfalfa growers to monitor export requirements, particularly with China’s zero tolerance on GMOs.

Listen to our conversation with Eckenberg here:

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