Sharp Cut in Alfalfa Crop

WASHINGTON - Aug 10/12 - SNS -- Production of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures is forecast at 54.9 million tons (2,000 pounds), down 16% from last year, according to the latest USDA crop estimate.

If realized, this will be the lowest production level since 1953. Based on August 1 conditions, yield is expected to average 2.92 tons per acre, down 0.48 ton from last year. If realized, this will be the lowest United States yield since 1988. Harvested area is forecast at 18.8 million acres, unchanged from June but down 2% from 2011.

As hot temperatures and limited rainfall depleted soil moisture levels across much of the country, expected yields for alfalfa hay declined when compared with last year. Some of the largest expected yield declines were evident in the Great Plains and Corn Belt, where July temperatures averaged more than 6 degrees above normal and precipitation totals were less than 50% of normal. In portions of the West, producers used their fields to graze livestock, as below average irrigation water supplies limited the number anticipated cuttings. Conversely, producers in Arizona are expecting a record-setting yield in 2012 as much of the State's crop is irrigated.

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