Hay
A booming overseas market for alfalfa is a key driver not only for baler manufacturers but also hay exporters.
While it’s still too early to say, some analysts expect hay growers who converted marginal stands into cornfields over the past few years to shift back into alfalfa.
It’s still a volatile weather market for dairy producers who rely on purchased hay.
With good drought plans and conservation systems, farmers and ranchers are better equipped to manage dry and other extreme weather.
Production of hay, including alfalfa, in the top-18 hay-producing states has been declining rapidly, according to USDA’s Annual Crop Production Summary.
Drought and legal issues are limiting the amount of water available. If you don’t have enough for a good grain crop, consider planting forages this spring.
Both the hard red winter wheat crop and shipping on the Mississippi River have become the most recent focus of the drought.
Early next week, cooler weather will spread from the Midwest into the Northeast.
USDA’ s pasture and range condition ratings for the week ended May 13.
USDA progress ratings for corn, cotton, wheat, rice, soybeans, pasture and sorghum for the week ending May 13.