USA: Corn and hay production are on the minds of producers as we prepare for a dry year

For farmers who are in grain, oil, energy and hay production, the CattleFax session at NCBA National Convention in Orlando may have had the answers to your questions. Corn Corn was a big topic of conversation, and while more information will come with the prospective plantings report in March, here are the main points as presented by CattleFax. Overall, in 2023, there was an increase in acres of corn planted and record-high yield. Demand was slightly increased but not enough to offset production, leaving stocks-to-use in a comfortable position going into 2024. The weather, particularly how dry it will be, is going to be the big indicator of the amount of corn planted this spring, but it is predicted there will be a decrease of some kind. “Additionally, as we head into July, we'll be paying attention to yield,” says Troy Bockelmann, CattleFax director of grains, protein and global trade. “If you look at the last five years, we've seen yield run about 2.5 percent below the long-term ...