October 17, 2007

US hay production on the rise this year

All-hay production in 2007 is projected at 148.0 million tonnes, up from 141.7 million tonnes in 2006 due to a nearly 3-percent rise year-to-year in yield at 2.39 tonnes per acre, reports the US Department of Agriculture. Total hay harvested area increased to 61.8 million acres from 60.8 million last year. Roughage-consuming animal units (RCAU) in 2007/08 are projected to be 72.6 million units, up from 72.3 million in 2006/07.

Alfalfa hay and alfalfa mixtures are forecast at 72.3 million tonnes, up 3 percent from the August forecast and up 1 percent from last year. Based on October 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 3.37 tonnes per acre, up 0.11 tonne from August and up 0.02 tonne from 2006. Harvested area is forecast at 21.5 million acres, unchanged from August but slightly above the previous year's acreage.

Other hay production is projected at 75.6 million tonnes, up slightly from the August forecast and up 8 percent from 2006. Based on October 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 1.87 tonnes, the same as the August forecast but up 0.09 tonnes, from last year. Harvested area, at 40.3 million acres, is unchanged from August but up 2 percent from the previous year.