Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
Market Size (2025) | USD 8.89 Billion |
Market Size (2030) | USD 9.39 Billion |
CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 1.10 % |
Market Concentration | High |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
United States Haying & Forage Machinery Market Analysis
The United States Haying & Forage Machinery Market size is estimated at USD 8.89 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 9.39 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 1.10% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The growing livestock industry has amplified the need for high-quality forage, encouraging farmers to invest in advanced haying and forage machinery. These machines enhance productivity and ensure consistent forage supply, essential for meeting the dietary needs of livestock.
The integration of technologies such as automation, GPS, and precision farming into haying and forage machinery has significantly improved operational efficiency, reduced labor costs, and enhanced the quality of forage. For instance, forage machinery now minimizes losses in cutting, wrapping, and silage making, resulting in better feed quality and storage.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of agricultural workers is projected to decline by 2% from 2023 to 2033. This decline, coupled with technological advancements and government support for agricultural mechanization, has accelerated the adoption of haying and forage machinery. Farmers are increasingly moving away from manual labor to mechanized solutions, boosting efficiency in forage harvesting and processing. Forage machinery has reduced human errors and inefficiencies in haying processes, such as cutting, baling, and silage preparation. These improvements not only ensure high-quality feed but also lower wastage, further driving the market demand for advanced equipment.
Despite its benefits, the high cost of haying and forage machinery remains a significant barrier, particularly for small-scale farmers. The initial investment in advanced equipment can deter adoption, requiring financial support or incentives to make it more accessible.
Therefore, the hay and forage machinery market in the United States continues to grow as the livestock industry expands and technological advancements improve farming efficiency. Addressing cost barriers remains essential for sustained market growth, particularly in smaller farming communities.
United States Haying & Forage Machinery Market Trends
Growing Forage Crop Cultivaton Drives Demand for Advanced Harvesting Equipment
The expansion of cattle farming operations has increased the demand for feed, resulting in expanded forage crop cultivation. This growth directly influences the hay and forage machinery market as farmers require efficient equipment to produce and manage feed at scale.
The total area dedicated to forage crops in the United States continues to grow. In 2023, approximately 35.0 million hectares of corn, 2.5 million hectares of sorghum, and 1.0 million hectares of barley were harvested as forage crops. These figures represent increases of 9.9%, 33.8%, and 5.4% respectively from 2022. This expansion in the cultivation area necessitates advanced machinery for harvesting, baling, and processing operations.
The growth in forage crop production serves both domestic consumption and international markets, with the United States maintaining its position as a major forage product exporter. This dual market demand reinforces the requirement for efficient production and processing machinery.
Technological advancements in forage machinery have enhanced the efficiency of harvesting, processing, and storage operations. Equipment innovations, including GPS-guided harvesters and precision balers, are increasing market demand as they enable farmers to optimize operations and reduce labor expenses.
Therefore, the combination of increased forage crop cultivation and demand for quality feed continues to expand the U.S. hay and forage machinery market. Farmers' requirements for efficient crop management drive the demand for specialized equipment, including harvesters, balers, and silage machines, supporting this agricultural segment's growth.
Rising Demand for Balers
Hay is a critical feed for cattle, providing essential nutrients, particularly in the winter months when access to fresh grass is limited. The growing livestock sector in the U.S. is driving the need for efficient hay production, making balers essential for farmers to meet the rising demand for stored feed.
The feedlot sector, a significant part of the U.S. livestock industry, has been one of the largest contributors to the increasing demand for balers. These operations rely heavily on hay to feed cattle, particularly during winter or when pastures are not available. As the feedlot industry grows, so does the need for high-efficiency baling equipment.
According to the ITC TradeMap database, the United States imported fodder balers worth USD 158.8 million in 2022, and this number increased to USD 192.5 million in 2023. The number of balers imported also grew from 5,871 to 6,461 during the same period, highlighting the rising demand for balers across the country. This surge in imports reflects the growing need for efficient machinery to keep up with forage production.
The U.S. government’s support for marginal farmers, particularly through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, plays a crucial role in driving the demand for balers. The availability of guaranteed loans with favorable interest rates (5.7%) enables farmers to purchase essential machinery, including balers, even if they have limited access to capital. This financial assistance has made it easier for farmers to invest in modern machinery, boosting demand for balers.
The rise in demand for balers has sparked competition among market players, with manufacturers constantly innovating to meet farmers’ evolving needs. Companies are focusing on improving automation, increasing the capacity of balers, and enhancing operational speeds. These advancements help farmers maximize their productivity by efficiently handling large quantities of forage in less time. Features such as automation and better bale handling systems are being prioritized to reduce labor costs and improve the quality of the bales produced.
Thus, the demand for balers in the United States is being driven by several factors, including the growing need for hay in livestock feed, government support for farmers, and technological advancements.
United States Haying & Forage Machinery Industry Overview
The agricultural haying and forage machinery market is consolidated, with a few companies holding the majority of the shares in the market. In the fast-growing agricultural haying and forage machinery market, companies are not only competing based on product quality or product promotion but are also focused on making other strategic moves, to acquire greater market share and expand their acquired market size.
United States Haying & Forage Machinery Market Leaders
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AGCO Corporation
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CLAAS KGaA mbH
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Deere & Company
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PÖTTINGER Landtechnik GmbH
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Kubota Corporation
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
United States Haying & Forage Machinery Market News
- August 2023: John Deere launched its 1 Series round balers equipped with integrated technology to measure bale moisture and weight during field operations. The new balers aim to improve operational efficiency and enhance farmers' return on investment.
- August 2023: AGCO's Massey Ferguson brand introduced the 1 Series Round Baler, which builds on Hesston's 75-year heritage in hay equipment manufacturing. The new baler enables operators to maintain consistent bale density at higher operating speeds.
United States Haying & Forage Machinery Industry Segmentation
Hay and forage machinery refers to a range of specialized equipment used in the harvesting, processing, and storage of hay, and forage crops, which are primarily used as feed for livestock. These machines are designed to improve efficiency, reduce labor, and enhance the quality of the forage. The United States haying and forage machinery market is segmented by type into Mowers, Balers, and Forage harvesters. The value of the market is mentioned in terms of USD for the above-mentioned segments.
Type | Mowers |
Balers | |
Forage Harvesters | |
Other Types |
United States Haying & Forage Machinery Market Research FAQs
How big is the United States Haying & Forage Machinery Market?
The United States Haying & Forage Machinery Market size is expected to reach USD 8.89 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 1.10% to reach USD 9.39 billion by 2030.
What is the current United States Haying & Forage Machinery Market size?
In 2025, the United States Haying & Forage Machinery Market size is expected to reach USD 8.89 billion.
Who are the key players in United States Haying & Forage Machinery Market?
AGCO Corporation, CLAAS KGaA mbH, Deere & Company, PÖTTINGER Landtechnik GmbH and Kubota Corporation are the major companies operating in the United States Haying & Forage Machinery Market.
What years does this United States Haying & Forage Machinery Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the United States Haying & Forage Machinery Market size was estimated at USD 8.79 billion. The report covers the United States Haying & Forage Machinery Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the United States Haying & Forage Machinery Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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United States Haying & Forage Machinery Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 United States Haying & Forage Machinery market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. United States Haying & Forage Machinery analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.