Western hay growers face challenges - AgMinute for April 8, 2015

Western hay growers see challenges ahead for this year's crop. Early spring and water concerns in some areas are making the season hard to predict. Click here for the full story

Farm Service Agency offers new insurance buy-up - AgMinute for January 5, 2015

A new USDA Farm Service Agency insurance option has broad appeal for hay and grass seed growers, according to an agency official. Click here for the full story

Record rains soak Idaho hay - AgMinute for August 11, 2014

Hay has sustained damage throughout Magic Valley and Eastern Idaho following a week of continuous moisture. Click here for the full story

All your hay - AgMinute for June 20, 2014

Many Western hay growers are off to a good start this season and getting top prices as California’s lingering drought eats into that state’s hay crop and exporters seek supplies for overseas customers.


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Analysts predict profitable year for dairymen - AgMinute for April 4, 2014

U.S. farmers are expected to plant 4 percent fewer acres of corn this year, increase soybean acres by 6 percent and hold steady on hay acres, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistic Service. For more information visit www.capitalpress.com

Drought, exports drive hay markets - AgMinute for March 5, 2014

Hay prices in most of the country are expected to decline in 2014 due to widespread drought recovery. But prices for hay, particularly alfalfa, in the West are expected to remain strong and higher than the national average due to drought and strong export demand. Click here for the full story

Columbia Basin sees tough hay season - AgMinute for October 28, 2013

A leading West Coast hay exporter says the Columbia Basin produced its worst quality Timothy hay in memory because of rain and delay. He says alfalfa wasn't much better. Click here for the full story

Making hay with oats — AgMinute for July 24, 2013

USDA projects Idaho's oat crop, at 1.8 million bushels, will be 85 percent larger than last year. Oat farmers say the majority of the crop will be cut for hay, rather than grown for grain, due to a shortage of alfalfa.

Read about how farmers are confronting controversy over biotechnology in "Surviving a Biotech Backlash," available at http://bit.ly/BiotechBacklash

Improved alfalfa — AgMinute for April 23, 2013

Biotech developers are asking the USDA to deregulate a new variety of transgenic alfalfa that's been genetically engineered for reduced lignin and improved forage quality.

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Not enough hay — AgMinute for Feb. 6, 2013

Two years of drought have taken their toll on U.S. hay supplies, according to a USDA report. Dec. 1 hay stocks dropped double digits in 2011 and 2012, first from the drought in the Southern Plains and last year from the more widespread drought in the Midwest.

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AgMinute for Aug. 9, 2012

It’s shaping up as a strong year for most Idaho alfalfa growers. Farmers in the southern part of the state who rely on natural rainfall, however, are struggling due to the combination of June frost damage and extreme dry weather.

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