News — Hay

Trading Hay - Exchange Rates

Trading Hay - Exchange Rates

Hay exports from the U.S. to Japan have been exceptionally weak. Japan represents 29% of U.S. hay exports. Comparing January through August of 2023 to the same period a year earlier, exports are down 38% or 351,000 metric tons. 

Hay Exports to South Korea - USDA Misses the Mark

Hay Exports to South Korea - USDA Misses the Mark

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.

 


U.S. Hay Production Lower in 2022

U.S. Hay Production Lower in 2022

Total U.S. hay production decreased by 6.8% year over year. Drought in the southern plains pressured grass hay production down by as much as 40%. Alfalfa production in the Southern Plains, a small portion of total hay production, decreased by 22%. 

The Great Lakes, Northern Plains, and Northwest regions are the few areas posting more hay production in 2022 than in 2021.


Hay Prices and Production

Hay Prices and Production

Hay prices nearly doubled from 2020 to 2022, but why? Is it exports? Exports remain a small portion of hay utilization. In 2021, just 17% of total west coast production was exported.

But before we get to exports, let's look at where we started the production season. On the first of May, hay stocks were lower year over year. Low inventory to start the season gave a tailwind to hay prices, allowing prices to rise early in the season.  


Grass and Alfalfa hay production are below the 5-year average in many states. The combination...


Hay Kings Weekly Newsletter - Mississippi River Shipping - Hay and Drought

Hay Kings Weekly Newsletter - Mississippi River Shipping - Hay and Drought

Hay Kings Podcast
Checkout the latest Hay Kings Podcast episodes:
HAY KINGS PODCAST: THINGS I WISH I KNEW STARTING A CUSTOM HAY OPERATION (S4:E10) →
HAY KINGS PODCAST: 2022 WORLD ALFALFA CONGRESS - DR. DAN PUTMAN (S4:E11) →
Low Water Mark
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