Wyoming is reporting better hay production numbers than last year, but much of the state is still under-producing.
Last year, 2012, was one of the worst years for hay in Wyoming’s recent history, due to drought and sustained high temperatures. The news is better this year, with producers predicting a 4%increase in yield, thanks to better rainfall early snows.
Jim Magagna of the Wyoming Stock Grower’s Association says much of the increased production is in the north and south east of the state. “As you get into western Wyoming where a lot of it is natural, meadow hay and depends on irrigation from some of the high mountain streams that didn’t have a lot of snow pack last winter, hay production is not going to be particularly good,” he clarified.
Magagna says that better hay yields in Fremont County and the eastern half of the state, plus high production in Nebraska and the Dakotas, should ease the pressure on local ranchers.