U.S. Hay Output Slips 1%

WASHINGTON - Jan 12/06 - SNS -- Production of dry hay for 2005 is estimated at 151 million tons, down 1% from the October 1 forecast and down 5% from the 2004 total, according to the USDA's final crop production report for 2005.

Area harvested, at 61.6 million acres, is down slightly from the October forecast and down less than 1% from 2004. The average yield, at 2.44 tons per acre, is down 0.04 ton from October and down 0.11 ton from the previous year.

Production of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures totaled 75.8 million tons, down slightly from the October 1 forecast but up slightly from 2004. Harvested area, at 22.4 million acres, is 1% above October and 3% above the previous year. Yields averaged 3.38 tons per acre, down 0.05 ton from the October forecast and down 0.10 ton from the 2004 yield.

Output of all other hay totaled 74.8 million tons, down 3% from the October 1 forecast and down 10% from the 2004 total. Area for harvest, at 39.3 million acres, is down 1% from the October forecast and 2% below last year. The average yield is estimated at 1.91 tons per acre, down 0.15 ton from last year's record high yield.

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