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Larger Hay Supply; Lower Hay Prices
Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist
Larger May 1 stocks and increased year over year hay production led to larger hay supplies in 2024 (Figure 1). Total hay production in 2024 was up 3.3 percent year over year and combined with May 1 hay stocks up 46.6 percent over 2023 levels to increase the total hay supply by 7.9 percent compared to year earlier levels. The total hay supply was 1.7 percent below the ten-year average supply from 2014-2023.
Total hay production includes total alfalfa hay production, almost unchanged from 2023 levels and 8.4 percent below the ten-year average as well as total other hay production, up 5.5 percent year over year and 0.6 percent above the 2014-2023 average.
Coming into winter 2024/2025, December 1 hay stocks were up 6.3 percent year over year, though still down 3.2 percent from the ten-year average. Hay supplies have recovered from the drought-reduced levels of 2022-2023 (Figure 1) and, as a result, hay prices have dropped from record levels (Figure 2). Table 1 shows the top ten state rankings for December 1 Stocks; All Hay Production: Alfalfa Hay Production and Other Hay Production and highlights the considerable regional variation in hay production and stocks. Texas is the largest hay producer, mostly other hay, with production and December 1 stocks well above average. Alfalfa hay production was down compared to the ten-year average in some important dairy production states (California and Idaho) as well as in some mostly beef cow states (Montana and South Dakota) that depend on alfalfa hay (Table 1). In many states, increased hay supplies are providing more management flexibility for cattle producers and lower hay costs are reducing annual cost of production somewhat. However, among major beef cow states, Florida, Kansas, Montana, and North Dakota, 2024 December 1 hay stocks are down year over year and below the ten-year average.
Table 1. December 1 Hay Stocks, All Hay, Alfalfa Hay, and Other Hay Production,
Top Ten States and U.S., 2024 and 2014-2023 Average.
December 1 Stocks
All Hay Production
Alfalfa Hay Production
Other Hay Production
Rank
State
1,000 Tons
% chg.*
State
1,000 Tons
% chg.*
State
1,000 Tons
% chg.*
State
1,000 Tons
% chg.*
1
TX
7600
+11.8
TX
11960
+25.5
ID
3854
-11.4
TX
11520
+28.5
2
SD
5600
+3.3
MO
6212
+0.1
NE
3483
+5.0
MO
5460
-1.8
3
MO
4800
-10.6
NE
6135
+3.1
SD
3480
-0.3
OK
5115
+4.1
4
OK
4800
+2.9
OK
5895
+5.6
MT
3225
-10.3
KY
4700
+3.0
NE
4300
+0.3
SD
5840
+5.8
CA
3168
-26.4
TN
3586
-7.2
6
MT
3800
-5.4
KY
5000
-0.8
WI
3030
+11.0
NE
2652
+0.7
7
KY
3650
+3.5
MT
4815
-9.2
IA
2736
+2.8
AR
2583
+5.8
8
ND
3550
-11.3
CA
4640
-19.6
MN
2550
+3.0
SD
2360
+16.3
9
KS
3300
-28.1
ID
4567
-9.5
CO
2498
-0.4
KS
2325
-28.1
10
WI
2900
+27.1
WI
3904
+13.5
UT
2080
+0.6
PA
2270
+4.4
Top 10
44300
-1.5
58968
+3.2
30104
-4.4
42571
+5.4
U.S.
2024
81534
-3.2
122462
-3.3
49840
-8.4
72622
+0.6
10 yr avg.
2014-2023
84237
126608
54391
72217
*% Change 2024 to 2014-2023 Average
Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. References within this publication to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement by Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.