Hay is one of Oregon's top agricultural commodities, ranking third in the state in 2022 with a total value of about $785.5 million. This included 2.78 million tons of alfalfa hay, valued at around $488.2 million, and 1.28 million tons of other types of hay, valued at about $297.3 million.
Hay’s significance is not only in its economic value but also in its role in supporting the livestock industry, both locally and for export. Produced in every county, hay represents more acreage than any other crop in Oregon with 900,000 acres being harvested in 2023.
The state produces different types of hay, including legumes such as alfalfa and grasses like orchardgrass and timothy. Each type has its own market and uses, with alfalfa being particularly valued for its high nutritional content.
OSU has always worked to extend hay research results and best practices to producers through field days, farm visits and workshops.
Oregon State University’s research and Extension efforts aim to improve hay quality and production techniques, benefiting both local farmers and the broader agricultural community. Partnerships between the OSU Agricultural Experiment Station, OSU Extension Service and hay growers, specifically the Central Oregon Hay Growers Association (COHGA), are crucial for supporting the state’s hay industry.
OSU has always worked to extend hay research results and best practices to producers through field days, farm visits and workshops. In February 2025, OSU, in partnership with COHGA, hosted a Central Oregon Forage Seminar which drew more than 60 attendees managing tens of thousands of acres across six counties to learn from experts from OSU, Washington State University, University of California Extension, and others. Such seminars have been serving Oregonians for decades.
OSU conducts extensive hay research at the Central Oregon Agricultural Research and Extension Center (COAREC) in Madras. OSU's hay research at COAREC and statewide focuses on variety trials and fertility management for hay crops.
Some recent examples of OSU research projects to support hay growers across Oregon include:
- Silvia Rondon, a professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences and director of the Oregon Integrated Pest Management Center, was a research partner with colleagues in six western states to study insecticide resistance in alfalfa weevil, a major pest of alfalfa. They found that the weevils showed similar resistance to several insecticides but not bifenthrin, which is used for seed alfalfa production. The study suggests the need for integrated resistance management strategies.
- Amber Moore, an associate professor and Extension soil fertility specialist in the College of Agricultural Sciences, has a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study soil fertility in alfalfa. Researchers will evaluate alfalfa's nutritional status in Oregon and summarize past studies on phosphorus and potassium use, contributing to a Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool.
- Maria Zamora Re, an assistant professor and the agricultural water management and irrigation engineering Extension specialist in the College of Agricultural Sciences, has worked with state and local agencies to install 30 new public weather stations, many in hay-producing areas, to help farmers better manage irrigation. These stations provide real-time weather data, which is crucial for making informed decisions about water use and improving crop yields.
OSU also provides resources through its Forage Information System, which includes information on selecting species and varieties, quality evaluations and marketing strategies for hay.
OSU’s hay research and partnerships with hay growers significantly enhance the state's agricultural economy, improve hay quality and production techniques, and support the livestock industry, benefiting both local farmers and the broader agricultural community.