Hay Stocks Jump 44% on Year

WASHINGTON - May 9/08 - SNS -- All hay stored on U.S. farms on May 1, 2008 totaled 21.6 million tons, up 44% from the previous year, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Disappearance of hay from December 1, 2007- May 1, 2008 totaled 82.4 million tons, 1% more than the disappearance of 81.5 million tons for the same period a year earlier.

Hay stocks increased from last year throughout the entire Great Plains, the Delta, most of the Southeast, and the Rocky Mountain States. Hay stocks increased significantly in Texas and Oklahoma where weather conditions during the 2007 growing season nearly doubled hay production and improved pasture conditions throughout the year.

Lower 2007 hay production in most States east of the Mississippi River, except in the Southeast, held May 1, 2008 hay stocks below a year ago. The largest declines occurred in Kentucky, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. In Kentucky and Tennessee where stocks are less than half of the previous year, production was down due to the April 2007 freeze and dry summer weather, so some producers resorted to hauling hay in from other States. Wisconsin's May 1 hay stocks are at a record low level while Tennessee recorded the lowest May 1 hay stock level since 1962.

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