Haying Underway in M.D. Provost

These two farmers at back stop to make adjustments while haying a few miles east of Provost on Thursday, July 31. ”The past few years have been challenging for hay crops with droughts in 2021 and 2023, which resulted in a production drop and an increase in hay prices to levels not seen before in the province,” said Chris Panter, competitiveness and market analysis director with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. Hay prices reached over $270/ton in spring of 2024 and remain well above 5-year and 10-year averages of $195/ton and $155/ton, respectively. “With grain and oilseed prices down from recent highs, it might be the right time to consider growing hay as a cash crop,” says Panter. “Smaller farms may find it easier to get into perennial forage production compared to other crops. Forage production comes with a number of advantages and disadvantages.” ©Provost News Photo.