LANSING, Mich. — Hot, dry weather conditions have been perfect for harvesting hay in the Midwest, but they are not the best for ensuring farmers will have any more hay to put up this summer.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, drought conditions now cover much of the Midwest. Agricultural experts and farmers in Michigan, Tennessee and Kentucky agree a significant rainfall is needed soon to promote new hay growth. They also say the weather is impacting pasture conditions and may contribute to higher hay prices than are normal at this point in the growing season.

Ronnie Barron, University of Tennessee extension director for Cheatham County, said most of the state of Tennessee is drying out.

“The northwestern part of our county is abnormally dry to excessively dry,” he said. “Where people have cut the first cutting of hay, what is left is just burning up. There’s not enough moisture for regrowth. Pastures that are heavily grazed are being affected severely, too.”

Barron said farmers are reporting 30-50 percent lower yields in first-cutting hay this year compared to last year, because of lack of moisture and prolonged excessive temperatures. “We normally don’t have 100-degree temperatures in June,” he said. “We have had just spotty showers.”

In addition, he said the area has experienced a dry wind that also is pulling moisture from the ground. “We’re losing about one-quarter of an inch of moisture per day – that’s about two inches per week,” Barron said. “That’s a lot in these conditions.”

Michigan growers and agriculturists are reporting similar yield losses and weather conditions. Paul Gross, Michigan State University extension educator in Isabella County, in the north-central part of the Lower Peninsula, said first-cutting yields were down about 30-40 percent this year.

“It frosted several times late in the spring and that really hurt our first-cutting alfalfa,” he said. “The quality is decent, but the tonnage is quite a lot less.”

Gross said second-cutting harvest is in full swing in his area and “yields have been really good. Most everybody is pleased with how the second cutting has recovered.”

So far, he said the area has received adequate rainfall; however, temperatures reached the mid- to upper 90s last week and are predicted to stay there for at least another week, with only a slight chance of precipitation in the forecast.

In West Michigan, MSU extension educator Jerry Lindquist said first cutting was down 25-40 percent on sandy soils and 15-25 percent on heavier loam and clay soils.

“Quality is average to slightly above average, mainly because it was cut on time with few weather delays,” he said.

Lindquist agreed that late spring frosts contributed to lower yields, as well as a dry spell in May in his area. “Rainfall returned after much of the dairy quality hay was harvested for first cutting. We got up to three inches of rain, but it is getting dry again.”

Ken Venema, a hay grower in Sheridan, Mich., said his first-cutting yields were down about 30-40 percent, too.

“I’m mostly sold out of first cutting already,” he said. “I’ve had guys pre-pay me for their hay this year to be sure they’ll get it, and I really don’t have any to put in the barn for winter.”

According to the most recent agricultural summary from the Kentucky Field Office of USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the state also has been experiencing a long period of hot, dry conditions. Farmers reported the condition of their pastures as 10 percent very poor, 25 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 25 percent good and 3 percent excellent.

“Pasture conditions continue to deteriorate due to less than normal rainfall and above normal temperatures,” the report stated. With hay in short supply and a steady demand, prices are increasing earlier in the season than normal.

“Prices are running $80 to $110 per ton for alfalfa-grass mixed hay in round bales,” Lindquist said. “The same type of hay in small or large square bales is $110 to $160 per ton, and for alfalfa dairy quality, it is $130 to $220 per ton and going higher with each dry day.”

Gross said in his area there is some hay left from last year. “The supplies here are less than normal, but they are still there,” he said. “We’re probably going to see higher prices.

“When we feel we are going to have a short supply, between now and October, prices usually are pretty high. When people find out what’s out there – if we do have adequate supplies – the price will start to drop.”

In Tennessee, Barron said some producers are starting to sell their livestock.

“That tends to bring lower prices (for feed) as cattle go to market,” he said. “We had some hay left over last year. We had a pretty good year last year as far as the hay crop goes, but that condition is going to change. We’re not sure about what we’re going to have for second cutting. Unless we get rain, there may be little or no second cutting.

“The market price on hay depends on the size of the roll and what the market will bear,” he added. “Right now, we’re averaging $30 to $40 per roll.”