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Hay
Acreage Down in State
 Auburn,
May 3, 2002---Hay acreage will be down significantly this year
in Alabama. Current estimates from the Alabama Agricultural
Statistics Service indicate the state's farmers will devote about
90,000 fewer acres to producing hay this summer than they did in
2001. More than 900,000 acres were in hay production in 2001.
But a forage agronomist
with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System says that's not really
surprising.
"Last year, hay
acreage was really quite high," says Dr. Don Ball.
"Livestock producers grew more hay to replenish their
stockpiles that were wiped out by the 2000 drought."
"The estimate that
830,000 acres will be in hay production is still high compared to
the acreages over the last 10 years," he adds.
Hay acres in the state
varied from as little as 710,000 in 1991 to as much as 800,000 in
1999. While hay is grown across Alabama, the most heavily producing
counties are all in the northern part of the state. In north
Alabama, many producers grow fescue for hay, while in central and
south Alabama, most producers grow bermudagrass or bahiagrass.
Ball says producers are
still dealing with the aftereffects of the severe drought two
summers ago.
"Hay fields and
pastures were battered by the drought and the following harsh
winter. Many pastures were overgrazed because livestock producers
were trying to keep their livestock fed," says Ball. "Each
of those are stresses, and stresses are cumulative. "
"Any one of these
would have been tough on a forage stand. Hit with all three, forage
stands may be thin and not as vigorous. This leaves them vulnerable
to weeds, diseases and insects."
This year, as always,
management and weather will determine hay yields.
Ball says that with
adequate moisture, a well-fertilized and properly managed hybrid
bermudagrass field can generate 6 tons or more of dry matter per
acre. That translates to 10 or more 1,200- to 1,400-pound round
bales of hay.
Hay production is
critical to the state's livestock producers. It is the most popular
stored feed for livestock operations. In 2001, about 920,000 acres
of grass and other forages were harvested in Alabama, producing
almost 2.4 million tons of hay with an average yield of 2.6 tons per
acre.
During the last 11
years, the state's average yield has dropped below 2 tons per acre
only once. The devastating drought of 2000 slashed yields to 1.8
tons per acre.
(Source: Dr.
Don Ball, Alabama Cooperative Extension System agronomist,
334-844-5491.)
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