Agriculture in New Jersey is flourishing despite the loss of land due the housing boom of the 90’s & 2000’s. Farms have become more profitable due to the increase in population and supply and demand of locally grown crops. Smaller row crop and agri-tourism operations have no problem selling their crops and with the recent grain prices soaring, larger farms have been on the receiving end as well.
Another profitable crop for New Jersey farmers is hay and straw. There is a huge horse industry located within New Jersey with several major race tracks and no shortage of buyers of quality hay and straw.
The straw of choice is long straw or Rye straw that wasn’t combined. Rye is commonly grown tall, just before maturity and mowed. This ‘long straw’ is a favorite among high-end horse farmers and brings big money for farmers. It is usually a bit greener than combined straw and not as dusty.
The hay of choice is alfalfa and alfalfa blends. A good green bale harvested without getting wet could bring $8 to $10 if harvest without weeds and in perfect weather. It might seem like easy money but a rain shower could cut the value in half. With that said timing is everything and you are a very lucky farmer if you can get every cutting out of the field without Mother Nature ruining at least one part of it.
New Jersey Farmers enjoy a favorable climate especially in Southern New Jersey. Sandy well drained soil with the close proximity to the ocean keeps temperatures a few degrees cooler during the summer, a few degrees warmer during the fall and an overall perfect climate for growing farm stand favorites such as corn and tomatoes. In the northern half of the state the soil becomes heavier and rocky. Crops are four to six weeks later and are comparable to New York and Pennsylvania. Much of this is because of where the ice line ended during the last ice age. Many rocks and boulders were pushed down from Canada during this ice age. Also there is a mountain range divides the state and the elevation is most noticeable when driving north on RT 18 heading into East Brunswick from Old Bridge. This is the point where the soil composition changes as well.
Monmouth and Burlington Counties are a transition area where both contain the sandy loam and the richer loam of the northern parts of the state. For example in Howell Township, New Jersey near the Ocean County line the soil is very sandy and has the similarities of Southern New Jersey. And 10 miles north in Freehold Township the soil is completely different with a rich blend of north and south. 20 miles north from Freehold in East Brunswick it is totally red shale clay based textured soil.