Hay is grown on more acres than any other crop in Western Pennsylvania. In Butler County, hay, acreage accounts for more than 40,000 acres.

Hay comes in many different types and varieties. Normally, if hay is harvested before or right at maturity, the feed value is good. However, since hay harvest can only occur when there is an extended period of sunny, dry days, many time hay becomes overmature and feed value is somewhat decreased —- all the while waiting on some good hay days.

Well, so far this year, no one can complain about not having good hay days. The weather has been perfect for hay harvesting. Dairy producers are already starting their second cut and first cut harvest is progressing at an aggressive pace compared to normal.

With adequate and timely rain this summer, two, three and even four cuttings will be harvested from well-managed hay acreage.

Some producers did report hay yields lighter than normal, but for the most part, production is average. Sometimes a soil test may help reveal why yields seem low. An application of lime and fertilizer, according to the soil test, results in quite an improvement.

Applying lime and fertilizer may increase production costs to the point it is not feasible, especially for producers that harvest only one cutting or are otherwise not concerned with quality. Even those producers should keep in mind that eventually an application of lime is important —- even more so than the fertilizer.

In any event, the reason hay accounts for so many acres is much of the cropland is not suitable for other types of crop production. Hay is also the best crop to prevent soil erosion. Some farms are not actively being farmed and are all hay. This accounts for another large amount of acres. Considering that livestock is present on many farms and hay is needed for feed, it is easy to see why hay is so common and growing on so many acres.

So many hay acres would prompt some to think it must be a highly profitable crop. Well, when pressed about the profitability of hay acres, most will agree that it is not all that profitable, considering rising fuel and fertilizer costs, scarcity of good labor and cost of good equipment.

Profitability is another topic I plan on pursuing at another time for all major commodities —- not just hay. Producer comments are always welcome.

Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.