Hay Stock Drop, Pushing Prices Higher

U.S. hay stocks have dipped to the lowest levels seen since 2013, which is pushing hay prices higher.  The USDA's most recent Hay Stocks Report, shows have depleted over the past several months for a variety of reasons.

"If you look at the Northern Plains of the U.S. we fed a lot of hay, if we look at the Southern Plains of the U.S., because of very dry conditions, and so the decline in hay stocks between, we get two reports a year December 1 and May 1, May 1 kind of starts our new crop year, that over winter usage, even though we didn't have a severe winter, expect for northern Montana, we fed more hay than normal" said Jim Robb is with the Livestock Market Information Center.

The low hay stocks have kept hay prices strong. For the new crop year, Robb expects less hay harvested.

"Nationwide, we're going to have fewer hay acres harvested.  We have less in the west of alfalfa acres planted, and then Mother Natrue will have a lot to say about our Upland hays that can be harvested in the High Plains, in the Midwest."

Robb said producers should look at the hay supplies from a management perspective, keeping an eye on how the new crop develops.

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