Iowa’s 2023 Crop Production Annual Summary was released last week by the Department of Agriculture, and according to the report, hay production was down from last year. 

All hay production for the State was estimated at 2.95 million tons in 2023, down 18 percent from the 3.58 million tons produced in 2022. Producers averaged 2.92 tons per acre, 0.14 tons per acre fewer than the previous year. All hay harvested acres were estimated at 1.01 million acres, down 160,000 acres from 2022. 

Alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures for hay production were estimated at 2.40 million tons, down 11 percent from 2022. Producers averaged 3.20 tons per acre, down 0.50 tons per acre from 2022. Harvested acres were up 20,000 from last year to 750,000 acres. In 2023, Iowa producers seeded 70,000 acres of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures, down seven percent from the year prior. 

To view a complete report on Iowa’s 2023 crop production, click here.