Modest Decline in U.S. Hay Area

WASHINGTON - Jun 30/10 - SNS --American producers intend to harvest 59.7 million acres of all hay in 2010, down slightly from 2009, according to seeded area estimates released by the USDA today.

Expected harvested area of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures, at 20.7 million acres, is down 2% from 2009. Expected area for harvest for all other types of hay totals 38.9 million acres, up 1% from 2009.

Acreage for alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures is expected to decrease or remain unchanged from last year in all estimating States except Arizona, Montana, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Utah. While Montana acreage is expected to increase 100,000, large decreases are expected in North Dakota and Minnesota, down 180,000 and 100,000 acres, respectively. Other States with decreases of 50,000 acres or more include California, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Compared with last year, area harvested for all other types of hay is expected to increase or remain unchanged in all but 10 States. Increases of 100,000 acres or more are expected in Missouri, Montana, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. Texas is expecting the largest increase in acreage as producers look to replenish hay supplies after last year's severe drought. Decreases of 100,000 acres or more are expected in Kansas, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.

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