Mark Flynn of Louisville, KY, was thrilled to get six cuttings of alfalfa this season, and much of it high quality.
“The last few years, the fall has been dry for us in August, September and October,” he reports. “This year, the late hay did really well due to the amount of rain we got. That really helped the total number of bales we put up.”
Despite higher supplies, Kentucky’s horse-hay prices are holding steady, Flynn says. Premium alfalfa brings $5-6/small-square bale, while top-quality, mixed-grass small squares sell for $4-5 each. Timothy averages $5.50-6/small square. Prices are slightly higher than they were last year at this time.
Early winter weather is affecting the market, he adds.
“We’ve already had our first snow for the winter. That has given some sense of urgency to the people buying hay.”
Forecasts predict higher-than-average snowfall for Kentucky, Flynn says.
“If that happens, farmers will be going through a lot more hay. Some customers are already starting to go through the hay they bought from us this summer and are getting low on their supplies.”
Flynn believes he’ll meet his customers’ hay needs this year. But, if the weather stays nasty, he predicts bale prices could increase 50 cents to $1/bale in early 2015.
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