All hay stored on U.S. farms was estimated at 25.1 million tons on May 1, 2016, up 3 percent from a year ago. Hay disappearance from Dec. 1, 2015 to May 1, 2016 totaled 69.9 million tons, compared with 67.5 million tons for the same period a year earlier.
The Northern Plains, including Montana and North and South Dakota, showed the largest year-to-year declines in hay stocks. Major dairy states with smaller hay inventories included Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, New York and Utah.
Colorado, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin entered the 2016 growing season with larger hay inventories compared to a year earlier.
Crop progress
USDA’s weekly crop progress report indicated about 61 percent of pasture and range acreage were rated in good to excellent condition as of the week ending May 8. That represents a slight improvement over the previous week.
States with the largest share of pasture/range acreage in fair to very poor condition were Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont and Virginia. 
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Dave Natzke
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- Progressive Forage Grower
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