News

USDA sees slightly bigger hay harvest

The 2022 U.S. hay harvest is expected to be up slightly from 2021.

The USDA projects this year’s harvested area for all types of hay at 51.507 million acres, up 771,000, including 15.465 million acres of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures and 36.042 million acres of all other types of hay.

Demand for hay has climbed due to drought in parts of the country impacting pasture and range conditions, which has also pushed prices higher in some areas.

Increased fertilizer and input costs have also boosted hay prices as producers try to get the best possible return on investment.

Comparisons for Brownfield states:

Arkansas: All: 1.203 million acres, compared to 1.183 million in 2021; Alfalfa and Mixtures: 3,000 acres, unchanged from a year ago; Other: 1.2 million acres, compared to 1.18 million last year

Illinois: All: 520,000 acres, compared to 500,000 in 2021; Alfalfa and Mixtures: 300,000 acres, compared to 290,000 a year ago; Other: 220,000 acres, compared to 210,000 last year

Indiana: All: 540,000 acres, steady with 2021; Alfalfa and Mixtures: 280,000 acres, compared to 260,000 a year ago; Other: 260,000 acres, compared to 280,000 last year

Iowa: All: 1.03 million acres, compared to 1.26 million in 2021; Alfalfa and Mixtures: 620,000 acres, compared to 910,000 a year ago; Other: 410,000 acres, compared to 350,000 last year

Kansas: All: 2.7 million acres, compared to 2.69 million in 2021; Alfalfa and Mixtures: 700,000 acres, compared to 690,000 a year ago; Other: 2 million acres, steady with last year

Michigan: All: 800,000 acres, compared to 790,000 in 2021; Alfalfa and Mixtures: 570,000 acres, compared to 560,000 a year ago; Other: 230,000 acres, steady with last year

Minnesota: All: 1.2 million acres, compared to 1.09 million in 2021; Alfalfa and Mixtures: 670,000 acres, unchanged from a year ago; Other: 530,000 acres, compared to 420,000 last year

Missouri: All: 3.01 million acres, compared to 3.14 million in 2021; Alfalfa and Mixtures: 210,000 acres, compared to 240,000 a year ago; Other: 2.8 million acres, compared to 2.9 million last year

Nebraska: All: 2.31 million acres, compared to 2.56 million in 2021; Alfalfa and Mixtures: 810,000 acres, compared to 910,000 a year ago; Other: 1.5 million acres, compared to 1.65 million last year

Ohio: All: 870,000 acres, steady with 2021; Alfalfa and Mixtures: 300,000 acres, unchanged from a year ago; Other: 570,000 acres, steady with last year

South Dakota: All: 3 million acres, compared to 2.4 million in 2021; Alfalfa and Mixtures: 1.6 million acres, compared to 1.3 million a year ago; Other: 1.4 million acres, compared to 1.1 million last year

Tennessee: All: 1.67 million acres, compared to 1.705 million in 2021; Alfalfa and Mixtures: 20,000 acres, compared to 15,000 a year ago; Other: 1.65 million acres, compared to 1.69 million last year

Wisconsin: All: 1.38 million acres, compared to 1.23 million in 2021; Alfalfa and Mixtures: 890,000 acres, compared to 910,000 a year ago; Other: 490,000 acres, compared to 320,000 last year