Winter forage: what the 2026 harvest means for your hay bill

The facts

Source

Sponsored article by Dr Katie Williams, registered nutritionist and technical manager at Dengie, published 24 September 2026

2025 rainfall

March brought a quarter of the long-term average; August delivered under half the expected amount

Owner survey

Ask Animalweb, spring 2026, 2,136 responses

Survey findings

Roughly 30% had some trouble finding hay; 40% turned to an alternative of some kind

2026 harvest

First cuts better than the previous year in some areas but no records; dry June to August held back second cuts

The short version is that supply is still tight. A wet winter left moisture in the soil, which helped grass through another hot, dry spring, so some areas saw better first cuts than last year. Nothing exceptional, though, and the dry run through June, July and August slowed growth enough to hit second cuts.

There is a knock-on effect from the arable side too. The cereal harvest started early and straw yields are reported to be down. Straw is used for other livestock, so when there is less of it, those farmers look elsewhere and demand for all forage rises. With almost no stock carried over from last season, the article expects pressure on supply and prices staying up.

On the 2025 shortage, the explanation given is that grass failed to tiller in the dry spring. Tillering is the production of extra shoots in a growing state. Without it there was no bulk in the crop, which showed in thin rows once the grass was cut. Pasture then dried off in August, so livestock were put onto hay earlier than usual, drawing down stocks that were already low.

Williams's advice is that forage replacers work best fed steadily at a low level all year, rather than being brought in suddenly on the day the hay runs out. Straw is named as a useful fibre source for good doers and a cost-effective top-up. Chopped fibres, soaked grass, alfalfa and high-fibre cubes are also listed. Any change of type or amount should be made gradually over several days.

What this means for you

Anyone buying hay by the load

Expect prices to stay high for a while yet. Ask your merchant or farmer about availability well before you need the winter stock, as regular customers are easier for them to plan around.

Owners with dry, ventilated storage

Buying winter hay now may give you more choice. The article is clear about not exceeding your usual quantity, because stockpiling adds to the shortage.

Owners of poor doers

If your horse struggles to hold weight on restricted forage, the advice is to get an equine nutritionist to help balance the diet without compromising gut health.

Good doers and natives

Straw is flagged as a genuine fibre option here, which changes the sums if your hay stocks are looking short.

What to do

1. Ring your hay supplier and ask straight out what they can commit to for the winter

   This week

2. Check the hay store is dry, ventilated and free of vermin, to cut waste from spoilage

   Before the load arrives

3. Weigh what you are actually feeding, and use nets, racks or feeders so less gets trodden into bedding

   Ongoing

4. If you plan to use an alternative forage, start introducing it now at a low level rather than waiting until the hay runs out

   Over several days

5. Manage grazing to make the most of grass without overgrazing, so fields recover

   Autumn