Pasture and range conditions are improving slowly this spring, as well. The most recent report shows 44 of 48 states in good condition, compared with 55 in 2010, but 21 in poor or very poor condition this year compared to only 8 a year ago.
Beef producers are having to feed hay for longer periods and some are culling cows that they might have continued feeding if conditions were better.
Some states are experiencing severe drought while others have fields flooded with water. Again, only time will show how this will impact prices and availability throughout the year.
Click here to see the most current USDA Crop Progress report and see how other crops stand.
Keep an eye out on our Silage Season page to see regular reports from producers throughout the country and comment about conditions in your area. FG
PHOTO: Workers at Reiland Farms in LeRoy, Minnesota were finally able to start planting their corn silage crop around May 6, much later than previous years. Photo courtesy of Chris Sukalski, Reiland Farms.
