November 2022 Hay Pellets

November 29, 2022

• Milk production in the U.S. climbed for the fourth consecutive month during October, rising 1.2% above one year ago. Both milk per cow and cow numbers are were above last year.

• Texas continues to grow milk production at a rapid pace. In October, production was up another 7% due to significant herd growth and more production per cow. The state’s output now exceeds Idaho, making it the third largest milk-producing state behind California and Wisconsin.

• Long-time Ohio State University forage extension specialist, Mark Sulc, recently retired. We thank him for his many contributions to the forage industry and wish him the best. We also hope The Ohio State University decision makers see fit to hire a new forage extension specialist.

• Farm operators paid their hired workers an average gross wage of $17.72 per hour during the October 2022 reference week, according to USDA’s Farm Labor report released last week. This wage was up 7% from the same period one year ago.

• Field workers received an average of $17.04 per hour, which was up 6% from 2021. Livestock workers earned $16.52 per hour, up 7%. The field and livestock worker combined gross wage rate, at $16.90 per hour, was up 6% from a year ago. Hired laborers worked an average of 41.8 hours per week, down slightly from the hours worked during the October 2021 reference period. To view wages from specific regions, click here.

November 22, 2022

• Cattle and calves on feed for the U.S. slaughter market totaled 11.7 million head on November 1. The inventory was 2% below a year ago. Placements in feedlots during October totaled 2.11 million head, which was down 6% from 2021. Placements were the lowest for October since tracking began in 1996. Marketings of fed cattle during October totaled 1.8 million head, 1% above last year.

• Here’s some tips for grazing corn.

• Dhurrin-free sorghum species will soon be a reality.

• Plan now for the 2023 grazing season.

• Navigating the winter feeding season in the Florida Panhandle will be a challenge.

November 15, 2022

• The USDA now forecasts 2022 corn grain production to be 13.9 billion bushels, which is slightly higher than their October estimate. Still, production is expected to be down 8% from 2021. The average yield is pegged at 172.3 bushels per acre, down 4.4 bushels from last year.

• Here are some pros and cons of different bale-feeding options during winter.

• It was announced last week that the 2023 Heart of America Grazing Conference will take place February 20 and 21 at the Ferdinand Community Center in Ferdinand, Ind.

• The Nobel Research Institute offers these six tips for improving wildlife habitat on your ranch.

• Are you still grazing?

November 8, 2022

• Exports of U.S. alfalfa hay during September totaled 248,209 metric tons (MT), which was slightly higher than a year ago but down significantly from the record-high August total. Through September, alfalfa exports are running 3.7% ahead of 2021, according to USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

• China imported 164,821 MT of U.S. alfalfa during September, which was up from 2021 but below its record-high total in August. Through the first three-quarters of 2022, exports of alfalfa hay to China are running about 9% ahead of last year and account for 57% of the total U.S. alfalfa hay exports.

• Exports of U.S. alfalfa to Japan have dropped significantly during recent months, although their total through September is only 4% behind 2021. On the flip side, exports to Saudi Arabia are on a significant rebound. It imported 37,520 MT during September after being well below 10,000 MT at the beginning of the year.

• Will you have enough hay this winter? Here’s how to know.

• Reduce waste when feeding hay.

November 1, 2022

• Flexible stocking rate options exist for drought management.

• Extend the growing season with cornstalks.

• LaCrosse Seeds, a division of DLF USA Inc., recently announced their acquisition of Deer Creek Seeds, which is based in Windsor, Wis.

• The 2022 World Alfalfa Congress is fast approaching. It will be held in San Diego, Calif., on November 14 to 17.

• Presentations from the Dairy Forage Seminars at World Dairy Expo can be now be viewed here.