U.S. Hay Stocks Under Pressure

WASHINGTON - May 12/06 - SNS -- All hay stored on farms in the United States on May 1, 2006 totaled 21.3 million tons, down 23% from the previous year, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Disappearance of hay between December 1, 2005 and May 1, 2006, totaled 83.7 million tons, 3% less than the disappearance of 86.8 million tons for the same period a year earlier.

Thirty-six of the 48 reporting States had lower May 1 hay stocks than a year ago. Hay stocks in most of these States were also below year ago levels for December 1 which resulted in the lower May 1 stocks. Drought conditions during the summer months of 2005 in the central Corn Belt and southern Great Plains States resulted in increased supplemental feeding of hay, reducing the December 1 stocks.

The largest decreases in May 1 stocks compared with last year occurred in Texas and Missouri, where drought conditions continued through the winter and this spring. As a result of the drought, pasture growth has been stunted and cattle producers have been forced to continue heavy feeding from already short hay supplies. Many producers in Texas began purchasing hay from other States in February.

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