Many Northwest alfalfa growers had a rough year with bad weather last summer.
Rain can leach nutrients out of drying hay and rot away any profits. But this year, hay markets are primed if growers can duck the storm clouds.
Drought in California and parts of the Midwest means hay buyers are focusing in on Northwest crops.
It will be around another 20 days until harvest at Drex Gauntt’s farm, but he says if the rain stays away he could see up to $240 per ton for his hay this year. That would be a 15 percent bump over last year.
“Market conditions and growing conditions and growing conditions are looking really good for 2014," says Gauntt. "This is the kind of hay year that makes a hay farmer smile.”
High beef and dairy prices are also helping hay farmers because more ranchers can afford premium-quality Northwest hay.
In Washington state, alfalfa is one of the top value crops. Much of the harvest get’s exported to the Pacific Rim.
