FORAGE UPDATE: HAY STOCKS AND PASTURES: The May 1 hay stocks data were released recently in the USDA-NASS monthly Crop Production report. Overall, U.S. hay stocks were up 6 percent (1.3 million tons) from last May, which was a little surprising considering the winter endured by some of the regions. Out of the 48 states in the continental U.S., year-on-year stock increases and decreases were roughly split; 22 states had more stocks on farms and 26 states had less. Generally, the Southern Plains, upper Midwest and Corn Belt states all showed increases in hay stocks. The Northeast, Great Plains, Southeast and Northwest all showed decreases in hay stocks. Texas, although amidst a severe drought over the last 6 months, had the largest increase in hay stocks, posting a 127% increase from a year ago. Second to Texas, but in a similar weather situation is Oklahoma, up 84% of last year. Both Texas and Oklahoma experienced very low stocks in 2010, and this year’s figures are closer to normal. States with the largest annual declines included Nevada and Idaho down 85% and 63% respectively from a particularly high 2010 stock levels. Pasture and range conditions so far have been slow to green up in most regions. USDA NASS began publishing pasture and range reports the first week of May. Nationally, as of mid-May, about 9 percent of the pasture and range was rated in excellent condition. Regionally, the Northeast states lead the nation with over 17% of pastures rated as excellent, followed by the Corn Belt states (about 13% excellent). One state with significant improvement in pasture and range conditions compared to last year has been California. In mid-May, about 22% of the U.S. pasture and range was rated in the lowest two categories (very poor and poor) compared to about 9% last year. The most dramatic year-on-year deterioration in pasture and range conditions has occurred in the Southern Plains where over 30% was recently rated in the lowest category versus only 2 percent last year. Although hay stock levels as of May 1 were above a year ago in the Southern Plains they have been eroding rather quickly due to deteriorating pasture and range conditions, especially in much of Texas. Further, hay production this year in the Southern Plains will be reduced by drought. Source: Livestock Marketing Information Center (www.lmic.info)