Smaller Afalfa Harvest Expected

WASHINGTON - Aug 10/07 - SNS --Production of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures is forecast at 69.9 million tons, down 2% from last year, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Yields are expected to average 3.26 tons per acre, a decrease of 0.09 ton from last year. Harvested area is forecast at 21.5 million acres, unchanged from June but slightly above the previous year's acreage.

Yields are forecast to be down across the Corn Belt, Ohio Valley, Tennessee Valley, and the northern and central Intermountain region. Hot, dry weather has reduced yield expectation for alfalfa hay in these regions. Yields are forecast to decrease by 1.0 ton or more in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, as the April freeze combined with current dry conditions severely hampered yields.

Yields are forecast to increase across the Great Plains, Southwest, eastern Rocky Mountains, Washington, California, and New York. The largest increases in yields are expected in Texas and Oklahoma, up 1.1 tons and 1.0 ton from 2006, respectively. The above average rainfall received during the growing season in Texas and Oklahoma proved beneficial to alfalfa hay production.

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