Regional Economics to Influence Hay Prices Most in 2018

Regional Economics to Influence Hay Prices Most in 2018

Russell Nemetz
Russell Nemetz
Hi everybody it's time for your Land and Livestock Report here on the Ag Information Network of the West-I'm Russell Nemetz.

For many livestock species, alfalfa is a critical component of the diet. As we look to 2018, national hay prices aren't expected to soar, but look for regional economics to play a heavy role in the price you pay at the farm gate.

Rising highway costs are making the expense of delivering hay more of a consideration, which is resulting in very regionalized hay prices, according to Dan Undersander, a member of the University of Wisconsin Madison forage team. The latest Agricultural Prices Report from USDA shows the national average price for alfalfa was $152 per ton in October. While it's important to note that price is representative of all quality levels, let's compare it to the average price in several states: $185/ton in California, $205/ton in Kentucky, $219/ ton in New York and $215/ton in Tennessee.

What causes these price differences? Undersander says it is a combination of regional economics and location.

That's your Land and Livestock Report-I'm Russell Nemetz.

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