NEWS

For those framing their hay feeding and marketing plans, the 2021 U.S. hay harvest picture is becoming clearer.

“There are definitely two different markets for ag tractors and combines,” explains Curt Blades, senior vice president (VP) of ag services for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). “You have farmers that are using small tractors. You also have a lot of folks that might have an acreage, or a small or large homestead where they need a tractor to perform some chores there.”

Gains in larger and four-wheel-drive tractors offset smaller declines in the sub-40-hp range in the U.S., while Canadian farm tractor unit sales were positive across the board in July, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

Drought is affecting hay supplies and prices in much of the western U.S., while the impact on hay quality from wildfire smoke is still unknown. Transportation availability and cost are concerns both home and abroad. Here’s a snapshot of factors affecting hay markets as we move into the second week of August.

New Art’s Way 2100 Series forage box unloads like a firehose