Cattle producers who want to purchase hay need to plan ahead. The drought this growing season has limited supplies and pushed prices higher, according to Extension educators. When purchasing hay, there are several factors to be considered, including price, quality and storage.
Less supply, higher prices
In a University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Center for Agricultural Profitability webinar titled “Planning Ahead for Hay Purchases,” UNL Extension staff recommended livestock producers who plan to purchase hay should begin thinking about their needs now. Supply will be limited due to the drought currently affecting forage production.
Randy Saner, UNL Extension beef systems educator based in North Platte, NE, said forage production hay stocks in the U.S. are at a 50-year low, thanks in part to dry conditions. All of Nebraska was affected by drought this growing season, and alfalfa production will be considerably less in 2022 compared to 2021, he said.
With less production within the state, some producers might consider shipping hay in from other states. With drought in the West and South, one option might come from the North, he said.
“If producers can’t find any hay in Nebraska, they might want to look at South Dakota,” Saner said. “They produced a lot of hay this year.”
With less hay available, prices will be more expensive. Forage prices could climb even higher if the upcoming winter is especially cold and wet. Saner said prices have been on the increase, and alfalfa hay has been bringing around $280/ton in his central Nebraska location. Other hay has been bringing around $180/ton, he said.
The USDA Nebraska Direct Hay Report for Sept. 29 stated alfalfa sold steady to $10 higher, while grass hay sold steady with the previous week. Demand was good, especially for hay that can be shipped to out-of-state buyers, the report said.
“Once again, hay buyers from south of Nebraska have been up in the area looking for large quantities of forages that can be easily shipped,” the USDA report said.
There were 2,375 tons sold for the week ending Sept. 30. This was slightly lower than last year and slightly lower than the previous week. Alfalfa hay prices ranged from $200-$250/ton across the state, according to the report. Grass hay prices ranged from $150-200/ton.
Hay buying recommendations
Saner said if livestock producers do purchase hay, there are certain things to keep in mind. Producers should try to buy forage by the ton and not by the bale. Bales range in weight by several hundred pounds, so purchasing hay by tonnage ensures you are not being shorted by the weight of the bales, he said.
Saner said hay quality is also extremely important. Saner said to test the hay or see a report of the hay quality from a lab. If possible, try to purchase hay in tightly-rolled, dense bales with square shoulders, he said. Bales with net wrap would also keep water out of the hay.
“You want bales free of molds, weed seeds and high levels of nitrates,” he said.
Saner said producers should also consider trying to purchase hay that best matches their livestock needs. For instance, young calves would need higher quality hay than older cattle would need. Additional supplements would need to be fed if the quality of hay is lower, he said.
T. L. Meyer, a UNL Extension beef systems educator based in Thedford, NE, said once hay is purchased, the locations where it will be stored and fed are important considerations. While it may not be possible in all operations, storing hay inside is the best option to keep moisture off the hay. If inside storage is not a possibility, then store the bales in a well-drained area, she said.
Meyer said bales should be lined up from north to south at least 3 feet apart. If the purchased hay does have some weeds in it, consider feeding the hay in a limited area. This will control weed growth the following spring, she said.
Cattle producers should consider their different feeding options right now, Meyer said.
“Purchase hay now, or at the very least have a plan for feeding some sort of alternative,” Meyer said. — Russ Quinn, DTN staff reporter
