Alfalfa
Weather events across the PNW have affected harvest on 1st cutting alfalfa. Forecast calls for potentially more showers in areas. Domestic demand in all regions of the PNW has been high.
PNW
Columbia Basin, Washington
First cutting harvest in the basin is in full swing. The majority of the south basin has either been harvested or is cut currently. The north basin is roughly 25% harvested. Some showers over the last few days may have affected the harvest in some areas. Domestic interest in early 1st cutting has been high and we are seeing a number of fields being torn out and replaced with corn or dry bean production. We anticipate that production is going to drop from first to second cutting.
Ellensburg, Washington
The alfalfa stand is looking good across the valley. First cutting just starting with a handful of fields cut. Some showers over the weekend may have affected the harvest of those fields, and growers may be waiting on current weather systems to clear up before cutting any additional fields. Forecast is calling for more rain and cooler temps over the next week to ten days.
Idaho
Parts of Southern Idaho baled hay last week. Most farms held off and waited for weather conditions to improve. Domestic demand in 1st cutting alfalfa is high.
Oregon
Oregon is in the early stages of harvesting. Most growers waited for weather events to clear before cutting. Some early cut 1st cutting was showered on and the forecast is calling for additional weather this week. Some areas like Klamath Falls are experiencing a water shortage and a very high domestic demand, which is pushing prices upward.
PSW
California
3rd cutting alfalfa is being harvested currently. Weather has been slowly heating up and overall quality is good, but less high testing alfalfa is available in recent weeks. Prices remain elevated due to continued strength from the US domestic market.
Timothy
Weather over the first three weeks of May has been cooler with scattered rain. Extended forecast is calling for warmer temps.
PNW
Columbia Basin, Washington
The timothy crop is looking good. We are seeing varying stages of growth with some fields ready to cut within one to two weeks dependent on weather. Upon inspection in the Basin, we are noticing a moderately larger number of timothy fields which have been removed. Forecast is calling for warmer temps from mid-80s to mid-90s.
Ellensburg, Washington
Timothy across the valley looks good. We expect that timothy harvest will start mid-June. Extended forecast is calling for warmer weather from the mid-70s to 80s.
Idaho
The dryland country has been much drier than usual. Although there was some much-needed rain over the weekend we still expect that yields will be down in dryland country. Prior to this last rain some growers are anticipating a yield reduction upwards of 50%. There is additional rain in the forecast in the coming week to ten days so conditions and yields may improve.
Kleingrass & Bermuda Hay
Domestic demand for these two commodities is higher in 2021. Harvest is underway for both commodities.
PSW
Kleingrass
1st cutting harvest has been completed. Overall quality is mixed as some growers elected to grow for tonnage over quality. Higher grades are relatively short at the present time due to this. Purchasing prices have been mixed as it is unclear where the export market will settle at. Some carryover from 2020 crop (mostly mid-grade) remains.
Bermuda
1st cutting harvest has been completed. Prices are similar to slightly higher than last season. Carry over volumes are minimal due to domestic activity.
Sudan
Various factors in seed production and forage have impacted the acreage availability of Sudan throughout the West-coast.
PSW
California
May reports show that overall sudan acreage is down year on year, but recent reports show they may be catching up slightly. Wheat acreage is up in 2021 over 2020, so the expectation is sudan will be planted in many of these fields after the wheat harvest. This means we will most likely see more late harvest 1st cutting sudan. The very first early fields are being baled this week. More will follow by the 2nd week of June and continue through July due to the staggered planting throughout the spring. The expectation is sudan will have slightly less acreage overall compared to 2021,but it is still unclear at this time.
PNW
Ellensburg, Washington
Acreage in the Valley appears to be down from 2020 crop.
Straw
Growers overall are optimistic about the yields and quality of this year’s crop.
PNW
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Growing conditions in the Willamette Valley have been excellent. Yields look like they will be really good. Perennial Rye acreage is down significantly, and Tall Fescue acreage is down slightly. As of now, we expect harvest to be a week to 10 days earlier than normal, weather permitting.
Columbia Basin, Washington - Fescue Straw
Too early in the season to comment.
Columbia Basin, Washington - Bluegrass Straw
Too early in the season to comment.
PSW
Bermuda Straw
Summer straw is expected to be harvested starting at the end of June. Due to shortages of cheaper feed domestically, some US buyers are forward contracting straw before the harvest to secure volume. Our expectation is the Bermuda straw market will be competitive and prices to be higher.