Hay and Forage Rakes Market projected to grow owing to rising demand from livestock industry

Author : Nishant Sherkhane | Published On : 25 Apr 2024

The hay and forage rakes market utilizes mechanized equipment for tossing or windrowing freshly cut hay or other forages to encourage drying before baling or stacking. Hay and forage rakes are agricultural equipment used to gather cut crop material such as hay, grass and silage for drying in the field before collecting. Rakes come in wheeled or pull type designs and help speed drying time by aerating the crop material.

The global hay and forage rakes market is estimated to be valued at US$ 2.21 Bn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.8% over the forecast period 2024 to 2031.

Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the Hay and Forage Rakes Market Size are Philips Healthcare, Cerner Corporation, Agfa Healthcare, Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc., Sectra, Epic Systems Corporation, General Electric Company, Siemens AG, McKesson Corporation, Wellbeing Software, Merge Healthcare Incorporated, Medinformatix Inc., eRAD, Inc., and RamSoft Inc. Rising demand for livestock feed from countries like China and India is driving demand for hay and forage harvesting equipment like rakes. Advances in mechanization have led to the development of self-propelled rakes that offer improved productivity and crop handling compared to traditional pull-type designs.

Technological advancements are helping improve the efficiency and functionality of hay and forage rakes. The incorporation of GPS systems allows for precision windrowing and row tracking. Advanced rakes also offer variable width configurations, adjustable tine positions, and floating axle systems for optimal ground contact. Sensors and auto steering functions further enhance raking accuracy.

Market Trends
Some key trends in the hay and forage rakes market include the growing adoption of pivot-steered and self-propelled rakes. Pivot-steered rakes can turn within their footprint, improving maneuverability in small fields compared to traditional pull-type designs. Self-propelled rakes do not require a tractor and offer higher field capacities of 10-15 acres per hour.

Market Opportunities
Rise in fodder production accompanied with government initiatives and improvement in livestock productivity are providing opportunities for hay and forage rakes market. Development of equipment with advanced features focused on smooth operation, ease of use and efficient crop handling will drive future demand. Introduction of hybrid models that combine raking and tedding functions into a single implement can boost efficiencies.

Impact of COVID-19 on Hay and Forage Rakes Market

COVID-19 has significantly impacted the growth of hay and forage rakes market. The pandemic and associated lockdowns disrupted manufacturing operations and supply chains. Many farming activities were also halted temporarily. This led to reduced demand for hay and forage rakes from 2020 to 2021. However, with resumption of economic activities in late 2021 and 2022, demand is recovering. Post COVID, there is focus on enhancing automation in agriculture and mechanization of farming processes. This will drive adoption of modern agricultural equipment like hay and forage rakes going forward. Farmers are also recognizing importance of such equipment for efficient harvesting and processing of crops. Governments in various countries are also supporting farmers through subsidies for agricultural mechanization. To sustain growth in coming years, manufacturers need to focus on innovations for developing smart and autonomous hay and forage rakes. Ensuring supply chain resilience and expanding e-commerce channels will also be important future strategies.

In terms of geographical regions, North America is currently the largest market for hay and forage rakes in terms of value. This is attributed to large scale commercial agriculture and widespread awareness about mechanized harvesting equipment among farmers in countries like United States and Canada. Europe is another major regional market driven by initiatives to modernize agriculture sector. Asia Pacific region is expected to witness fastest growth during forecast period aided by growing population, rising crop production and government measures to boost farm equipment usage across developing economies of China and India. Countries like Brazil and Argentina also offer opportunities for hay and forage rakes market in Latin America.

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