Perennial Forages

The forage industry plays a major role in Ohio agriculture. Approximately 16% of the total value of agricultural products sold in Ohio is derived from ruminant meat and milk products ($1.6 billion), and Ohio ranks 19th in hay production. Ohio has about 1.3 million cattle and calves, ranking 11th in the nation in value of milk production and 25th in value of all cattle and calves. Ohio ranks 11th in the nation in sheep and lamb inventory. About 25% of Ohio farms have cattle and calves, 5.3% have sheep and lambs, 6% have goats, and 21% have horses and ponies. In 2020, 2.7 million tons of hay was produced (19th in the nation) on about 900,000 acres, and pastures comprise more than 1.4 million acres of Ohio’s total farmland.