Seth Hoyt
Author of The Hoyt Report, providing hay market analysis and insight.

There are many fires burning in the West and smoke from these fires is especially bad in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. In the Columbia Basin in Washington, smoke is very dense in some areas and is causing problems putting up both alfalfa and timothy hay. As the smoke blocks the sun, this delays drying of the hay and morning dews are not burning off. Also, humidity is much higher than normal.

Some alfalfa hay that is being baled is bleached and does not have an attractive appearance. Some second-cutting timothy hay in the Columbia Basin is also being impacted by the smoke. One grower said he had timothy in the windrow for 11 days and it was still not cured properly. He mentioned that he may be forced to harvest the hay knowing that it may not meet the quality requirements of the export market, which is the market he produces for.