Hay stocks were at near-record lows as of May 1 of this year. In October, USDA forecast that 2023 alfalfa hay production would be up about 1% from last year and grass hay up 0.8%, but final numbers will not be released until January.
“This is the third year in a row where hay stocks declined,” said Mike Rankin during the November Hoard’s Dairyman webinar. Rankin is the managing editor for Hay & Forage Grower magazine.
Meanwhile, the September hay price reported by USDA sat at $224 a ton. A year ago, it reached a record level of $277 a ton.
Abby Bauer
November 22, 2023
hoards.com
