Good demand for Washington second cutting

Even with the uncertainty of West Coast alfalfa hay exports to China and very light demand from dairies due to low milk prices, second-cutting alfalfa hay in Washington was finding good demand from export buyers last week. Columbia Basin growers say second-cutting alfalfa hay was some of the best, if not the best, second-cutting hay they have ever harvested. The outstanding appearance is pushing much of the hay into Premium quality, even if the tests fall below Premium quality.

While some Washington export buyers are still not buying alfalfa hay because of the situation with Chinese tariffs, others are buying and want to own some of the nice second cutting. These exporters are hoping that tariffs to China will not be long term and want to have alfalfa hay available for Chinese customers in the months ahead, or early next year.

Seth Hoyt

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