Hay supplies are up by double digits over the last year, and that is helping keep costs down.
Frequent Market Day Report guest Dr. Darrell Peel says hay production was up more than three percent last year, and stocks, as of May 1st, were up nearly 50 percent over 2023 levels. Despite the gains, total hay supplies fell nearly two percent over the last decade.
Peel says that for producers in many states, increased supplies will mean more flexibility in the coming months.
Related Stories
Read the full press release published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Farmer Bridge Assistance payments provide immediate balance-sheet support heading into 2026, but remain a short-term bridge rather than a substitute for long-term market recovery.
Record yields are cushioning production declines, but softer prices underscore the importance of cost control and market timing for vegetable growers.
Strong global demand and falling stocks suggest continued price volatility for U.S. coffee buyers despite record world production.
Fewer acres and stronger prices suggest disciplined hop production is supporting market balance despite lower output.
Benchmark machinery costs against those of similar-sized, high-performing operations to inform equipment and investment decisions.
