Imperial Valley Sudan and Klein Grass Update
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California Alfalfa Harvest Update
The harvest of alfalfa hay is going well in California, as almost all production areas are now harvesting. The quality has mostly been good, as we have seen very stable harvest conditions the past month. The demand from the domestic market is good for Supreme and Premium Quality. In the Imperial Valley, farmers are currently finishing 2nd cutting and some have started 3rd cutting. We have seen a lot of export quality alfalfa produced the past month, with quality ranging from Supreme, Premium, and #1. In the Southern portion of the San Joaquin Valley, growers have finished 1st cutting and have started 2nd cutting. The quality of the earlier harvested alfalfa was not suitable for the export market, but recently we have seen nice export quality alfalfa. In the Northern portion of Central California, farmers are harvesting 1st cutting. The quality has been nice and we are seeing a good supply of export quality alfalfa, both Supreme and Premium - grades The weather in California has been mild this spring with very little rain fall. While this has helped to produce more export quality alfalfa in the early harvest, in some areas there is concern of the long term supply of water. In some areas, farmers are saying they will only be able to produce alfalfa for a portion of the 2013 crop year. Border Valley has been aggressive to secure stable quality alfalfa for our various markets. We are able to offer new crop alfalfa for shipment from both of our production facilities to meet your demand.
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Imeperial Valley Crop Update 2013
ALFALFA HAY
Imperial Valley:Farmers are currently finishing up 1st cutting and starting 2nd cutting alfalfa. Quality of harvested alfalfa has been good but most has not made export grade due to high moisture content. In some cases we have been able to secure nice 1st cutting premium alfalfa. We expect more export quality in April.
Demand for alfalfa has been steady from both the domestic and export markets. Acres of alfalfa in the Imperial Valley are slightly higher this season compared to 2012.
SUDAN HAY
Farmers have started to plant sudan and early growing conditions have been good. While many growers continue to finalize their growing plans for sudan for the 2013 season, it appears the amount of early planted sudan will increase compared to last year while late planted acres will decrease. BVT estimates total sudan plantings in the Imperial Valley will be approximately 50,000 acres.
Klein Grass
Farmers have started to irrigate as Klein comes out of winter dormancy. With a very mild and dry winter, Klein fields look good and most fields are free of winter weeds. With the temperatures warming, Klein grass is starting to grow quickly. Harvest for 2013 Klein grass is expected to start in May.
Acres of Klein grass has increased by 15% in 2013 and as the season progresses, some older fields will be taken out of production. The increase in planted acres seems to match the growing demand from various export markets.
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass is growing well as it has come out of dormancy. Most Bermuda grass will be grown for seed production in June/July and will make hay later in the winter. In some cases, certain fields will be dedicated to making only Bermuda hay.
Acres of Bermuda is about the same as last year and at this time we expect the total production of Bermuda hay and straw to be very similar to last season.