Wisconsin's Hay Stocks See a Substantial Decrease

Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 -- 8:00 AM

(Blake Jackson, Wisconsin Ag Connection) The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently released its Crop Production report, highlighting a substantial decrease in Wisconsin's hay stocks.

According to Blake Jackson with the Wisconsin Ag Connection, as of May 1, 2024, Wisconsin farms held an estimated 390,000 tons of hay, reflecting a 30% decline compared to May 1, 2023. This significant year-over-year reduction warrants further investigation to pinpoint the contributing factors.

While the report doesn't delve into specific reasons, it's noteworthy that hay disappearance (hay fed or lost) between December 1, 2023, and May 1, 2024, was also lower compared to the previous year. It's important to contrast this trend with the national hay inventory.

Hay stored on U.S. farms on May 1, 2024, is estimated at 21.0 million tons, indicating a 47% increase from May 1, 2023. This suggests a regional disparity in hay storage levels.

Further analysis of weather patterns, hay production figures, and livestock feed requirements within Wisconsin could provide valuable insights into the reasons behind this decline.

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