News

Yields pull U.S. hay production lower

Lower yields had an impact on hay production in 2026, reflecting weather issues in parts of the U.S.

The USDA says alfalfa and mixtures production was down 5% on the year at 47.685 million tons and production of other types of hay dropped 10% to 65.586 million tons as year-to-year declines in yield, to 3.25 tons per acre and 1.87 tons per acre, respectively, more than canceled out slight rises in harvested area, at 14.685 million acres for alfalfa and mixtures and 35.102 million acres for all other types.

In 2025, production of alfalfa and mixtures was 50.213 million tons with an average yield of 3.42 tons per acre on harvested area of 14.676 million acres, while all other types totaled 72.818 million tons with an average yield of 2.09 tons per acre on harvested area of 34.881 million acres.

The largest year-to-year decreases were generally in states hardest hit by drought.

Hay production, availability, prices, and demand are highly local.

Comparisons for Brownfield states:

Arkansas: All Other Hay: 2.94 million tons, compared to 2.921 million in 2025; Average Yield: 2.1 tons per acre, compared to 2.3 a year ago; Harvested Area: 1.4 million acres, compared to 1.27 million last year

Illinois: All Other Hay: RECORD LOW 403,000 tons, compared to 490,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 2.3 tons per acre, compared to 2.65 a year ago; Harvested Area: 175,000 acres, compared to 185,000 last year

Alfalfa and Mixtures: 975,000 tons, compared to 967,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 3.9 tons per acre, compared to 3.65 a year ago; Harvested Area: 250,000 acres, compared to 265,000 last year

Indiana: All Other Hay: RECORD LOW 546,000 tons, compared to 672,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 2.1 tons per acre, compared to 2.4 a year ago; Harvested Area: 260,000 acres, compared to 280,000 last year

Alfalfa and Mixtures: 980,000 tons, compared to 891,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 3.5 tons per acre, compared to 3.3 a year ago; Harvested Area: 280,000 acres, compared to 270,000 last year

Iowa: All Other Hay: 616,000 tons, compared to 667,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 2.2 tons per acre, compared to 2.3 a year ago; Harvested Area: 280,000 acres, compared to 290,000 last year

Alfalfa and Mixtures: 3.12 million tons, compared to 3.024 million in 2025; Average Yield: 4 tons per acre, compared to 4.2 a year ago; Harvested Area: 780,000 acres, compared to 720,000 last year

Kansas: All Other Hay: 2.7 million tons, compared to 4.298 million in 2025; Average Yield: 1.5 tons per acre, compared to 2.25 a year ago; Harvested Area: 1.8 million acres, compared to 1.91 million last year

Alfalfa and Mixtures: 1.617 million tons, compared to 1.764 million in 2025; Average Yield: 3.3 tons per acre, compared to 3.6 a year ago; Harvested Area: 490,000 acres, unchanged from last year

Kentucky: All Other Hay: 4.3 million tons, compared to 5.06 million in 2025; Average Yield: 2 tons per acre, compared to 2.3 a year ago; Harvested Area: 2.15 million acres, compared to 2.2 million last year

Alfalfa and Mixtures: 250,000 tons, compared to 285,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 2.5 tons per acre, compared to 3 a year ago; Harvested Area: 100,000 acres, compared to 95,000 last year

Michigan: All Other Hay: 450,000 tons, compared to 441,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 1.8 tons per acre, compared to 2.1 a year ago; Harvested Area: 250,000 acres, compared to 210,000 last year

Alfalfa and Mixtures: 2.046 million tons, compared to 1.705 million in 2025; Average Yield: 3.3 tons per acre, compared to 3.1 a year ago; Harvested Area: 620,000 acres, compared to 550,000 last year

Minnesota: All Other Hay: 950,000 tons, compared to 1.43 million in 2025; Average Yield: 1.9 tons per acre, compared to 2.75 a year ago; Harvested Area: 500,000 acres, compared to 520,000 last year

Alfalfa and Mixtures: 2.446 million tons, compared to 2.85 million in 2025; Average Yield: 3.35 tons per acre, compared to 3.75 a year ago; Harvested Area: 730,000 acres, compared to 760,000 last year

Missouri: All Other Hay: 5.36 million tons, compared to 5.4 million in 2025; Average Yield: 2 tons per acre, steady with a year ago; Harvested Area: 2.68 million acres, compared to 2.7 million last year

Alfalfa and Mixtures: 633,000 tons, compared to 670,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 2.3 tons per acre, compared to 2.35 a year ago; Harvested Area: 275,000 acres, compared to 285,000 last year

Nebraska: All Other Hay: 2.24 million tons, compared to 2.368 million in 2025; Average Yield: 1.6 tons per acre, compared to 1.65 a year ago; Harvested Area: 1.4 million acres, compared to 1.435 million last year

Alfalfa and Mixtures: 2.853 million tons, compared to 3.201 million in 2025; Average Yield: 3.5 tons per acre, compared to 3.7 a year ago; Harvested Area: 815,000 acres, compared to 865,000 last year

Ohio: All Other Hay: 1.058 million tons, compared to 1.3 million in 2025; Average Yield: 2.3 tons per acre, compared to 2.6 a year ago; Harvested Area: 460,000 acres, compared to 500,000 last year

Alfalfa and Mixtures: 1.015 million tons, compared to 1.12 million in 2025; Average Yield: 3.5 tons per acre, steady with a year ago; Harvested Area: 290,000 acres, compared to 320,000 last year

South Dakota: All Other Hay: 1.43 million tons, compared to 2.128 million in 2025; Average Yield: 1.3 tons per acre, compared to 1.85 a year ago; Harvested Area: 1.1 million acres, compared to 1.15 million last year

Alfalfa and Mixtures: 2.66 million tons, compared to 3.576 million in 2025; Average Yield: 1.9 tons per acre, compared to 2.4 a year ago; Harvested Area: 1.4 million acres, compared to 1.49 million last year

Tennessee: All Other Hay: 3.3 million tons, compared to 3.57 million in 2025; Average Yield: 2 tons per acre, compared to 2.1 a year ago; Harvested Area: 1.65 million acres, compared to 1.7 million last year

Wisconsin: All Other Hay: 640,000 tons, compared to 704,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 1.6 tons per acre, steady with a year ago; Harvested Area: 400,000 acres, compared to 440,000 last year

Alfalfa and Mixtures: 2.952 million tons, compared to 2.769 million in 2025; Average Yield: 3.6 tons per acre, compared to 3.9 a year ago; Harvested Area: 820,000 acres, compared to 710,000 last year