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USDA sees higher hay harvest

The USDA says the hay harvest should be up in 2023.

However, the quality of that hay is a big question mark because of drought in parts of the country, and it is likely farmer harvest intentions will change to some degree.

As of June 1^st, the total hay harvest is projected at 51.976 million acres, including 15.658 million acres of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures and 36.318 million acres of other types of hay, all up 5% from 2022.

Hay prices remain volatile and highly variable from location to location due to tight supplies and strong demand.

Comparisons for Brownfield states:

Arkansas: All: 1.163 million acres, compared to 1.093 million in 2022; Alfalfa: 3,000 acres, unchanged from a year ago; Other: 1.16 million acres, compared to 1.09 million last year

Illinois: All: 480,000 acres, compared to 495,000 in 2022; Alfalfa: 200,000 acres, compared to 240,000 a year ago; Other: 280,000 acres, compared to 255,000 last year

Indiana: All: 520,000 acres, steady with 2022; Alfalfa: 260,000 acres, unchanged from a year ago; Other: 260,000 acres, unchanged from last year

Iowa: All: 1.05 million acres, compared to 1.2 million in 2022; Alfalfa: 730,000 acres, unchanged from a year ago; Other: 320,000 acres, compared to 370,000 last year

Kansas: All: 2.68 million acres, compared to 2.61 million in 2022; Alfalfa: 680,000 acres, compared to 660,000 a year ago; Other: 2 million acres, compared to 1.95 million last year

Kentucky: All: 2.05 million acres, compared to 2.03 million in 2022; Alfalfa: 100,000 acres, compared to 110,000 a year ago; Other: 1.95 million acres, compared to 1.92 million last year

Michigan: All: 800,000 acres, compared to 790,000 in 2022; Alfalfa: 570,000 acres, compared to 560,000 a year ago; Other: 230,000 acres, steady with last year

Minnesota: All: 1.26 million acres, compared to 1.22 million in 2022; Alfalfa: 700,000 acres, compared to 640,000 a year ago; Other: 560,000 acres, compared to 580,000 last year

Missouri: All: 3.225 million acres, compared to 3.18 million in 2022; Alfalfa: 225,000 acres, compared to 130,000 a year ago; Other: 3 million acres, compared to 3.05 million last year

Nebraska: All: 2.36 million acres, compared to 2.14 million in 2022; Alfalfa: 760,000 acres, compared to 790,000 a year ago; Other: 1.6 million acres, compared to 1.35 million last year

Ohio: All: 850,000 acres, compared to 830,000 in 2022; Alfalfa: 300,000 acres, compared to 280,000 a year ago; Other: 550,000 acres, steady with last year

South Dakota: All: 2.9 million acres, compared to 2.95 million in 2022; Alfalfa: 1.7 million acres, compared to 1.65 million a year ago; Other: 1.2 million acres, compared to 1.3 million last year

Tennessee: All: 1.793 million acres, compared to 1.712 million in 2022; Alfalfa: 13,000 acres, compared to 12,000 a year ago; Other: 1.78 million acres, compared to 1.7 million last year

Wisconsin: All: 1.23 million acres, compared to 1.1 million in 2022; Alfalfa: 830,000 acres, compared to 800,000 a year ago; Other: 400,000 acres, compared to 300,000 last year