Hay Market Reports

Heading into spring, it looked like U.S. growers intended to devote more acreage to hay in 2020 than in either 2019 or 2018. By the end of June, that anticipated increase had disappeared.

There are times when many factors have the potential to change hay markets rapidly, and we’re in one of those.

Outside forces – many with some connection to the COVID-19 pandemic – continue to impact hay markets. Growers are finding some respite by being able to spend time in their fields, but many marketers are finding harder times. Here’s a look at conditions during the first week of May.

From a disastrous downturn for dairy to the impact on the availability of livestock feed byproducts derived from ethanol manufacturing, COVID-19 is touching the hay market on several fronts. Here’s a look at conditions during the first week of April.

Spring always has a way of delivering a mixture of optimism and uncertainty. This year, the impact of all things “coronavirus” is resulting in seaport disruptions and creating volatile waves in trade and financial markets, increasing the level of unpredictability.

Like a baseball player, about the only thing many of us can do at this time of year is sit and stare out the window and hope for spring. The view overlooking hay markets teases with the sunshine of potential, while at the same time is clouded by a number of factors.