Cattle producers who want to purchase hay need to plan ahead. The drought this growing season has limited supplies and pushed prices higher, according to University Extension educators. When purchasing hay, there are several factors to be considered, including price, quality and storage.
OMAHA (DTN) -- LESS FORAGE SUPPLY, HIGHER PRICES In a University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Center for Agricultural Profitability webinar titled "Planning Ahead for Hay Purchases", UNL Extension staff recommended livestock producers who plan to purchase hay begin to think about their needs now. Supply will be limited due to the drought currently affecting forage production. DTN wrote about lower forage production recently: (https://www.dtnpf.com/…). Randy Saner, UNL Extension Beef Systems educator based in North Platte, Nebraska, said forage production hay stocks in the U.S. are at a 50-year low, thanks in part to dry conditions. All of Nebraska was affected by drought this growing season and alfalfa production will be considerably less in 2022 compared to 2021, he said. With less production within the state, some producers might consider shipping hay in from other states. With drought to the west and south one option might come from the north, he said. "If producers can't find ...