2025 Challenging For Washington Hay Growers

“2025 was a hard year for sure," noted Andrew Eddie, President of the Washington State Hay Growers Association.  "Commodity prices are down, input prices are up, labor costs are high, and movement is pretty slow with foreign markets.” 

Andrew said many of the challenges producers faced last year, most likely won't disappear into 2026.  He added during the trade wars and ongoing trade discussions, many people thought of how bulk crops and even fruits were impacted, but he pointed out that hay was hurt as well.

“International trade is a huge part of what we do, especially here in the state of Washington, out on the West Coast," Eddie noted.  "So, that's been a big kind of stumbling block for us as an industry, is to get product to where it needs to go at a decent price and kind of keep the market alive. So, I think we're trying to find ways as an industry, and as a whole, to kind of make things a little better and hopefully get some of that market share back so that we can continue to produce high quality forages and make a good living. And at least pay the bills.”

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