News

Hay crunch created by winter and spring weather challenges

There’s a hay crunch caused by spring weather challenges that have slowed the first cutting of alfalfa.

Minnesota Milk executive director Lucas Sjostrum says prices have jumped as supplies run short.

“And you’re seeing some kind of lower-quality stuff go for much higher prices than you’d expect. So it’s really just one more stresser weighing on the minds of dairy farmers.”

Widespread alfalfa winterkill has also contributed to regional shortages.

He tells Brownfield the hay and forage situation will probably be on shaky ground for at least another month.

“But let’s hope that people can get alfalfa planted, and later this summer we’re back to normal levels.”

Minnesota Milk supports the Feed Emergency Enhancement During Disasters Act that would allow for the early haying and grazing of prevent plant acres, moving the timeline from November first to the first of September.