Increased Land in Hay

WASHINGTON - Jun 29/07 - SNS -- Hay producers in the United States expect to harvest 61.8 million acres of all hay in 2007, up 2% from 2006, according to the USDA's seeded area estimates for 2007.

Harvested area is expected to increase from last year throughout the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and in the middle Atlantic Coast States. The State with the largest expected increase is South Dakota, up 500,000 acres from 2006.

Montana and North Dakota are also expected to be up 290,000 and 280,000 acres, respectively. However, area for harvest in most of the States along the Pacific Coast, in the Northeast and the Corn Belt is expected to decline from 2006.

The States with the largest expected decreases in harvested area from the previous year are Iowa down 130,000 acres, Ohio and Michigan down 80,000 acres, and New York down 70,000 acres. In the West, Oregon harvested area is expected to be down 50,000 acres. Overall, acres of all hay harvested are expected to increase in 24 States, while decreases in acreage are expected in 20 States.

Expected harvested area of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures, at 21.5 million acres, is up marginally from last year. Expected area for harvest of all other types of hay totals 40.3 million acres, up 2% from 2006.

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