USDA’s October Crop Production report forecasts 2010 production of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures at 71.3 million tons, down 2% from the August forecast but up slightly from last year’s production.
Based on Oct. 1 conditions, USDA expects yields to average 3.44 tons/acre, down 0.05 ton from the August estimate but up 0.09 ton from last year’s actual yield. If realized, this would be the sixth-highest yield on record.
Yields could have been even higher. A hot and dry August in most of the Corn Belt and northeastern U.S., coupled with cooler weather and late-season rains in Pacific Coast states, hindered production.
For other hay, USDA is projecting total U.S. production at 81 million tons, down 1% from the August forecast but up 6% from the 2009 total. This would be the third-highest production level on record.
As of Oct. 1, the ag department forecast an average U.S. other-hay yield of 2.08 tons/acre in 2010, a record. Producers in California, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wyoming are all expecting record yields this year.
USDA’s October Crop Production report forecasts 2010 production of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures at 71.3 million tons, down 2% from the August forecast but up slightly from last year’s production.
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