LUBBOCK, TEXAS (RFD NEWS) — Persistent dry weather across Texas is steadily reducing hay supplies and raising concerns about grazing conditions and forage production as livestock producers move toward spring, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists.
Extension forage specialist Dr. Vanessa Corriher Olson reports many operations entered the year with leftover hay from a strong 2025 production season, but quality varies, and continued dryness is accelerating usage. Long-range forecasts calling for above-normal temperatures and below-normal rainfall are increasing uncertainty around warm-season hay production and pasture recovery.
Operationally, producers are relying more heavily on supplemental feeding as pastures struggle to green up. Central Texas has received roughly eight inches below normal rainfall since September, limiting grazing recovery despite scattered recent moisture. Agents report that livestock producers have already drawn heavily from stored supplies, though regional availability remains uneven.
Hay markets reflect mixed conditions. USDA’s Texas Direct Hay Report lists average round bale prices between $75 and $85, with premium bales ranging from $110 to $145. Some regions still hold surplus inventory from last year’s bumper crop, but Extension agents expect supplies to tighten if dry conditions persist.
Looking ahead, drought pressure, combined with emerging risks such as pasture mealybug infestations, could further challenge forage production and livestock feeding plans this season.
Many farmers are choosing to hold grain in storage longer this year as they wait for improved market opportunities. While the goal is to capture a better price, extended storage can increase the risk of grain quality loss, creating added challenges for producers managing on-farm inventories.
John Mays with Central Life Sciences joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to discuss the factors driving extended grain storage, including market conditions that have encouraged growers to delay sales.
In his interview with RFD NEWS, Mays explained that while holding grain can be a strategic decision, longer storage periods raise the risk of quality issues that may not be immediately visible. Small losses from insects, spoilage, or other storage-related problems can often go unnoticed until grain is moved or marketed. He also outlined steps growers can take to protect grain quality while it remains in storage and shared where producers can go to learn more about managing grain during extended holding periods.
To learn more, visit: www.bugfreegrains.com
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