Alfalfa Hay Output Up 11%
WASHINGTON - Aug 12/14 SNS -- Production of alfalfa and alfalfa mixture dry hay for 2014 is forecast at 63.6 million tons, up 11% from 2013, according to the USDA's latest crop production forecast.
Based on August 1 conditions, yield is expected to average 3.50 tons per acre, up 0.26 ton from last year. If realized, yield would be the second highest on record behind only the 1999 average yield of 3.51 tons per acre. Harvested area is forecast at 18.2 million acres, unchanged from June, but up 2% from 2013. New Mexico and Pennsylvania are expecting record high yields in 2014.
With the exception of the continuing drought in the far western United States, much of the growing season has been characterized by good moisture and cooler than average temperatures. This resulted in favorable conditions for most of the Nation's alfalfa hay crop.
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