Nevada Price Outlook Alfalfa and Grass Hay Dealing With Drought Michael Helmar University of Nevada, Reno University Center for Economic Development
Impacting the Price Outlook Major factors in the outlook for 2014 –Drought abates Water storage Range and pasture conditions –Hay acreage –Fallon WMP plant and dairy herd expansion –Fire season –California
Improved Supplies Ease Crop Prices Sources: USDA, FAPRI
Weather, WMP Plant Influence Hay Outlook Nevada forage prices Sources: USDA, UCED
Irrigation Keeps Yields Up Source: USDA Nevada hay yield, tons/acre
Drought Reduces Irrigated Acres, Number of Cuttings Source: USDA Nevada hay acreage, ths
California Losing Alfalfa Acres Source: USDA California hay acreage, ths
Late Year Moisture Improves Range Nevada range condition, 0=Very Poor, 25=Poor, 50=Fair, 75=Good, 100=Excellent Sources: USDA, UCED
Profitability Depends on Water in 2014 Nevada alfalfa, $/harvested acre Sources: USDA, UCED
Cattle Prices Boosted by Low Inventories Sources: USDA, FAPRI-MU, UCED Cattle prices, $/cwt
Strong Prices Will Support Profitability Basin & Range cow-calf, $/bred cow Sources: USDA, UCED
Milk Prices Will Fall as Feed Prices Ease Source: USDA, FAPRI All-milk price, $/cwt
Profitability Expected to Return in 2014 Nevada dairy, $/cwt of milk sold Sources: USDA, UCED
Wrap-Up Multi-year drought makes water shortage more acute this year Range conditions might not be adequate Fires could push more ranchers off land Dairy demand will boost hay needs California a major market for Nevada hay
Contact Information This presentation can be accessed on the University Center for Economic Development website at: policy-research-institute-(fapri) For more information or questions regarding this outlook please contact Mike Helmar at: