News

U.S. hay production down on year

The USDA is projecting a year to year decline in hay production because of a decrease in planted area and average yield. Production of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures is pegged at 47.813 million tons, 5.254 million under last year, with an average yield of 2.97 tons per acre, compared to 3.27 a year ago. Harvested area for alfalfa and mixtures is estimated at 16.123 million acres, compared to 16.23 million in last year. Production for all other types of hay is seen at 70.927 million tons, 2.818 million less than in 2020, with an average yield of 2 tons per acre, compared to 2.05 the year before. Harvested area for all other types of hay is projected at 35.414 million acres, compared to 36.008 million a year ago.

Weather is likely having an impact on yield in parts of the Midwest and Plains.

The USDA’s next set of production estimates is out September 10^th.

Comparisons for Brownfield states:

Arkansas: Other: 2.451 million tons, compared to 2.667 million in 2020; average yield of 1.9 tons per acre, compared to 2.1 a year ago; harvested area of 1.29 million tons, compared to 1.27 million last year

Illinois: Alfalfa: 558,000 tons, compared to 858,000 in 2020; average yield of 3.1 tons per acre, compared to 3.9 a year ago; harvested area of 180,000 acres, compared to 220,000 last year; Other: 504,000 tons, compared to 621,000 in 2020; average yield of 2.1 tons per acre, compared to 2.3 a year ago; harvested area of 240,000 acres, compared to 270,000 last year

Indiana: Alfalfa: 900,000 tons, compared to 638,000 in 2020; average yield of 3.6 tons per acre, compared to 2.9 a year ago; harvested area of 250,000 acres, compared to 220,000 last year; Other: 756,000 tons, compared to 644,000 in 2020; average yield of 2.7 tons per acre, compared to 2.3 a year ago; harvested area of 280,000 acres, unchanged from last year

Iowa: Alfalfa: 2.607 million tons, compared to 2.905 million in 2020; average yield of 3.3 tons per acre, compared to 3.5 a year ago; harvested area of 790,000 acres, compared to 830,000 last year; Other: 720,000 tons, compared to 792,000 in 2020; average yield of 2 tons per acre, compared to 2.4 a year ago; harvested area of 360,000 acres, compared to 330,000 last year

Kansas: Alfalfa: 2.419 million tons, compared to 1.998 million in 2020; average yield of 4.1 tons per acre, compared to 3.7 a year ago; harvested area of 590,000 acres, compared to 540,000 last year; Other: 3.15 million tons, compared to 3.895 million in 2020; average yield of 1.8 tons per acre, compared to 1.9 a year ago; harvested area of 1.75 million acres, compared to 2.05 million last year

Michigan: Alfalfa: 1.456 million tons, compared to 1.54 million in 2020; average yield of 2.6 tons per acre, compared to 2.8 a year ago; harvested area of 560,000 acres, compared to 550,000 last year; Other: 345,000 tons, compared to 460,000 in 2020; average yield of 1.5 tons per acre, compared to 2 a year ago; harvested area of 230,000 acres, unchanged from last year

Minnesota: Alfalfa: 1.8 million tons, compared to 2.664 million in 2020; average yield of 2.4 tons per acre, compared to 3.6 a year ago; harvested area of 750,000 acres, compared to 740,000 last year; Other: 576,000 tons, compared to 882,000 in 2020; average yield of 1.2 tons per acre, compared to 1.8 a year ago; harvested area of 480,000 tons, compared to 490,000 last year

Missouri: Alfalfa: 528,000 tons, compared to 594,000 in 2020; average yield of 2.4 tons per acre, compared to 2.7 a year ago; harvested area of 220,000 acres, unchanged from last year; Other: 5.8 million tons, compared to 5.843 million in 2020; average yield of 2 tons per acre, compared to 2.05 a year ago; harvested area of 2.9 million acres, compared to 2.85 million last year

Nebraska: Alfalfa: 3.648 million tons, compared to 3.268 million in 2020; average yield of 3.8 tons per acre, steady with a year ago; harvested area of 960,000 acres, compared to 860,000 last year; Other: 2.48 million tons, compared to 3.102 million in 2020; average yield of 1.6 tons per acre, compared to 1.65 a year ago; harvested area of 1.55 million acres, compared to 1.88 million last year

Ohio: Alfalfa: 930,000 tons, compared to 870,000 tons in 2020; average yield of 3.1 tons per acre, compared to 2.9 a year ago; harvested area of 300,000 acres, unchanged from last year; Other: 1.254 million tons, compared to 1.232 million in 2020; average yield of 2.2 tons per acre, steady with a year ago; harvested area of 570,000 acres, compared to 560,000 last year

South Dakota: Alfalfa: 1.6 million tons, compared to 3.24 million in 2020; average yield of 1 ton per acre, compared to 1.8 a year ago; harvested area of 1.6 million tons, compared to 1.8 million last year; Other: 1.15 million tons, compared to 2.125 million in 2020; average yield of 1 ton per acre, compared to 1.7 a year ago; harvested area of 1.15 million acres, compared to 1.25 million last year

Tennessee: Other: 4.19 million tons, compared to 4.066 million in 2020; average yield of 2.45 tons per acre, compared to 2.35 a year ago; harvested area of 1.71 million tons, compared to 1.73 million last year

Wisconsin: Alfalfa: 2.125 million tons, compared to 2.688 million in 2020; average yield of 2.5 tons per acre, compared to 3.2 a year ago; harvested area of 850,000 acres, compared to 840,000 last year; Other: 481,000 tons, compared to 795,000 in 2020; average yield of 1.3 tons per acre, compared to 1.5 a year ago; harvested area of 370,000 acres, compared to 530,000 last year