The province of Alberta has the largest area of tame hay production, with approximately 5 million acres. Hay production in Western Canada has been increasing gradually during the past decade, whereas production in Eastern Canada has remained fairly stable. Yield Forage crop yields vary depending on the species and region. Several species of legumes and grasses are grown as hay crops in Canada. Alfalfa is the most widely used tame hay species, and is seeded in combination, as well as in pure stands.
Weather plays a significant role in determining the yield and quality of harvested hay.
On average, harvested yields approach 2 tonnes per acre nationally, but average yields vary from a low of 1.3 tonnes per acre in Saskatchewan, to approximately 2.6 tonnes per acre in the province of Ontario, where up to 3 cuts can be harvested in one growing season with careful management. Volume of Production Forage processing, which includes dehydrated and sun-cured alfalfa pellets, alfalfa cubes, and compressed bales of timothy and alfalfa, is concentrated in Saskatchewan and Alberta. In 1999, Canada produced approximately 26.7 million tonnes of tame hay. Canada is also a significant producer of forage seed. Creeping red fescue, alfalfa and timothy comprise Canada's major forage seed crops.