U.S. May Hay Stock Up Over Last Year

WASHINGTON - May 12/05 - SNS -- All hay stored on farms in the United States as of May 1, 2005 totaled 27.7 million tons, up 7% from the previous year, says the USDA in its latest crop production estimates.

Disappearance of hay from December 1, 2004 - May 1, 2005, totaled 86.6 million tons, 2% greater than the disappearance of 85.1 million tons for the same period a year earlier.

Twenty-six of the 48 reporting States had higher hay stocks than a year ago. Many of the States reporting an increase in stocks were located in the northern Great Plains and the central Corn Belt. The increase in hay stocks from May 2004 in some areas can be attributed to higher hay production during 2004, mild winter conditions, and sufficient early season pasture growth, reducing the need for supplemental feeding.

Stocks declined in the western and southeastern States. In Washington, lack of winter precipitation and minimal spring pasture growth depleted hay stocks. In California, a decrease in 2004 hay production, combined with strong consumption by dairies, reduced hay stocks by 30% from the previous year. In the Southeast, hay stocks are down due to lower 2004 hay production in most areas with some areas reporting poor quality as a result of wet weather during harvest.

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