Dry weather keeping hay conditions poor

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Dry weather and hot temperatures have stunted hay production this summer.  The lack of hay and nutrients has already forced many producers to contemplate their winter feeding program. --Staff photo by Taylor

Sept. 22, 2005 - With all the rains from Hurricane Katrina and Ophelia threatening the eastern coast of the United States at press time, most of South Central Texas has stayed dry … too dry for some hay producers.

In the Sept. 12 edition of the Crop Production Report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), they reported that there were 61.7 million acres of hay, this year, versus 61.9 million in 2004.  Obviously, most of it is not in our area of Texas.  Acreage of hay, other than alfalfa, is down from 40.2 million acres in 2004 to 39.6 acres, this year.

Around South Central Texas, there are many acres that are reported to be in “sad shape,” due to a lack of moisture.  Those who have been lucky enough to receive rain in the past few weeks report “improved” pastures, but nothing great.  Many areas report doing supplemental feeding, as well as herd reduction in the driest areas.  Hay production is variable all over the areas … even in the same counties.

Reports from the Beef Stocker Trends show that 35 percent of the hay is in the “good to excellent” area, down from 51 percent in 2004, while 66 percent of the hay is reported to be “fair to better” … down from the 78 percent in 2004.  Unfortunately, 33 percent of the hay was rated “poor to very poor,” up from 22 percent in 2004.

Trevor Taylor of Plum noted that the Tifton 85 grass he planted, earlier in the year, didn’t receive enough moisture to develop a good stand, and he has been purchasing hay for his small herd of cattle.

Earlier this summer, Dr. Larry A. Redmon spoke in Lockhart concerning beef cattle and brush control, along with winter forage.  He suggested that with a “controlled grazing program,” hay could be used later in the winter, after herds had rotated through various pastures.  He advised “over-seeding” of pastures with annual ryegrass for late winter, if moisture is too scarce for hay during September, October and November.

The latest report from USDA-Texas Department of Agriculture Market News noted that hay trade was “slow to moderate.”   Prices were reported to be “steady to firm on light to moderate demand.”  Much of the state reported light soil moisture, especially in Eastern and Southern Texas.  There, the lack of moisture and hot temperatures has “stressed the forage.”

In South Texas, Coastal Bermuda was reported to cost between $5.50 to $5.75 per small bale, delivered.  Large rounds were running between $35 to $45 per bale.  Premium quality large rounds were reported to cost $50 to $60.

Obviously, the crude protein percent for grass hay is what producers are looking for to insure that their animals are getting the most for the money.  Reports from the USDA reported that premium quality should have over 13 percent crude protein; good should be 9-13 percent; fair—-five to nine percent; and utility quality would be under five percent.  Hay samples can be taken to the local Texas Extension Agent for testing.

Unless more areas in South Central Texas receive rain in the next couple of months, finding the quality of hay producers desire may become harder to come by.  The latest “Farmer’s Almanac” forecast a “colder, wetter winter” for the area, so there still may be time … before frosts … to recover some of the dormant hay pastures in the area.