News — Grass

Washington hay production has fallen nearly 25% since the early 2000s, a decline driven by both drought and economics. This chart traces that shift, showing how repeated years of severe drought and a strong U.S. dollar since 2022 have squeezed growers from two sides—reducing yields at home and pricing out key export buyers abroad. As traditional export markets weaken, Washington’s hay industry is steadily pivoting toward higher-value domestic markets, where resilience, efficiency, and quality matter more than sheer tonnage.

Neither option is ideal, but if you’re forced to choose between cutting hay and risking rain or letting it get overmature, the better choice usually depends on your end market:

Jon Paul and guest TJ Steele delved into the intricate world of hay production and the significant advancements and challenges in hay equipment. This conversation highlighted the resilience and innovation within the industry and shed light on the economic pressures facing producers today.

Hay Kings is calling on the USDA FAS to issue a report discussing factors affecting demand for U.S. hay in the largest export destinations: China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Additionally, the USDA AMS should recognize that exchange rates are always important to agricultural exports, market structures are complex and the hay industry is based on long-standing interpersonal relationships.