Next Hay report

Magnetic Ag email

With insane fertilizer prices expected to depress the number of corn acres planted this year, beef producers are likely to face higher (if that’s even possible) feed costs moving forward. 

But the problems don’t stop with grain finishing…

Forage frenzy: With ultra-high hay prices plaguing producers, "shrinking supply" isn’t exactly a friendly message. Yet according to a recent USDA report, that’s what’s coming around the bend.

According to the report, the 2022 hay harvest is projected to be down nearly 10M acres from the 2000-14 average.

Translation? The lowest projected supply in over 100 years. Ouch.

Input costs are an issue, but it’s Mother Nature who’s being a real stick in the muddust.

Water, water every nowhere: Lack of moisture is the problem (cue the broken record). Short-term lack of precipitation is intensifying the longer-term dry conditions, and the scarce snow-pack wouldn’t even make a good snowball fight.

Mother Nature’s stinginess also fueled the Texas wildfires, and ranchers across the country responded with a feed and forage convoy to help out their fellow producers affected by the fires.

Maybe the clouds will learn a thing or two and ship out soon.

Where this goes: Hay demand and prices have stayed relatively steady across the plains, and ranchers are hopeful rains will return. But Ben Beckman, a University of Nebraska extension educator, suggests planning for the worst: 

"If moisture remains limited, we can expect productivity from pastures to suffer. Drought plans should be implemented to reduce stocking rates and limit the potential for overgrazing."