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
Weather, Tight Supplies, and Planning Shape Farm Decisions
Strong ethanol production and export trends continue to support corn demand despite seasonal fuel consumption softness.
Cotton demand depends on demonstrating performance and reliability buyers can rely on, not messaging alone.
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.