Alfalfa
Weather has been very good this spring. The alfalfa crop is coming along nicely in many areas. Harvest seems to be on track for a typical year.
PNW
Columbia Basin, Washington
First cutting harvest has begun in some areas of the Basin. Temperatures have been more ideal in 2023 at this time versus the prior year. Crop growth looks nice and quality is expected to be nice barring any rain events.
Ellensburg, Washington
The last several weeks we’ve seen a nice warming trend which has contributed to growth in the alfalfa stand. Extended forecast shows some dipping temperatures, but that is expected to be short lived. Harvest should be close to a normal time frame.
Idaho
Harvest is underway in Western Idaho. Some parts of Eastern Idaho are expected to be a few weeks behind due to lagging cold temperatures and snow into April. More information to come.
Oregon
Eastern Oregon in many areas saw snow pack levels well above average. In many cases this will help to provide adequate water for many areas that struggled to have any the last few years. Some farms are taking alfalfa hay out to plant crops that use more water as it is more readily available this year. Central Oregon has more water than prior years, but whether it gives growers the ability to have three cuts or more is still unknown.
PSW
California
Second cutting alfalfa is wrapping up and some early third is being laid down in the Imperial Valley. Acreage across the Imperial Valley is up compared to last year. Parts of the San Joaquin valley had significant rainfall over the last several months and in some areas alfalfa was drowned out or delayed because of many areas of standing water.
Timothy
The growing conditions for timothy hay have been ideal for this time of year.
PNW
Columbia Basin, Washington
Acreages across the Columbia Basin appear to be down at least 25% or more. Most of this is due to more profitable crops to be grown, as well as the concern over the collapse of the timothy market from 2022. Crop growth looks good overall with heads out of the boot. Harvest is on track with a early to mid-June start.
Ellensburg, Washington
With ideal conditions for the crop, we’re just starting to see heads out of the boot. If the weather patterns hold we should see a typical harvest timeline for the valley. Quality overall is looking good.
Idaho
The water situation for dryland production in Idaho is good. Acreage appears to be flat. More information to come in next update.
Kleingrass & Bermuda Hay
Domestic demand to remain steady, although pressure from domestic market is trying to move the price down.
PSW
Kleingrass
1st cutting is beginning. Acreage of Kleingrass is up over last year. More details to come in next report.
Bermuda
1st cutting harvest is underway. Acreage is up from last year. Demand for this product should be steady due to domestic demand. More details to come in next report.
Sudan
There is some carryover of this product from 2022 crop, but planted acres in the Imperial Valley are off by over 30%.
PSW
California
Imperial Valley reports show that overall sudan acreage is down significantly. Many growers are looking to more profitable crops like vegetables to take over. Harvest is expected to begin in the weeks ahead.
PNW
Ellensburg, Washington
Too early in season to comment.
Straw
Western Oregon weather has been more in-line with typical years.
PNW
Willamette Valley, Oregon
The grass crop in the Willamette Valley has been growing well. There is some debate as to whether yields will be good. Certainly it will not be like 2022. Overall acreage across annual, perennial and fescue to be flat this year.
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
Too early in the season to comment.