Colorado Hay Report

   Compared to last week, prices were higher with activity light and good demand 
in all classes.  The USDA NRCS National Water and Climate Center’s Colorado 
SNOTEL Snow/Precipitation Update Report for Thursday, April 20, 2017 has the 
Gunnison River Basin Snow Water Equivalent at 100%, the Upper Colorado River 
basin at 89%, the South Platte River Basin at 93%, the Laramie and North 
Platte River Basins at 86%, the Yampa and White River Basins at 75%, the 
Arkansas River Basin at 95%, the Upper Rio Grande Basin at 101% and the San 
Miguel, Dolores, Animas and San Juan River Basins at 107% as a percent of the 
median of all SNOTEL sites in each basin compared to previous years.  According 
to the U.S. Drought Monitor, in western Colorado, snowpack was generally above 
normal for the season and with an early and fast melt occurring, stream flows 
are generally much above average. However, the Yampa/White Basin was one of the 
only areas in the Upper Colorado River Basin that did not reach average peak 
snowpack. It was reported that not only is the snow melting early, but the crops 
are coming out of dormancy earlier than usual. Because of the warmer than normal 
temperatures, low elevation snow pack as disappeared much earlier than normal. 
Due to the above mentioned conditions.  All prices reported are FOB at the stack 
or barn unless otherwise noted.  Prices reflect load lots of hay.  If you have 
hay for sale or need hay, use the services of the Colorado Department of 
Agriculture website: www.coloradoagriculture.com.

Northeast Colorado Areas
  Alfalfa
   Round Bales: Good 100.00.
  Alfalfa/Grass Mix
   Large Squares: Good 125.00.
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

Southeast Colorado Areas
  Alfalfa
   Large Squares: Premium 150.00
   Small Squares: Supreme 200.00 (6.50-7.00 per bale).
  Grass
   Large Squares: Premium 227.00, retail.
   Small Squares: Premium 245.00 (6.50 per bale), retail.
  Triticale
   Large Squares: Good 100.00.
   Large Rounds: Good 100.00.
  Sorghum-Sudan Grass
   Large Rounds: Utility 75.00-85.00 Del.
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

San Luis Valley Area
  Alfalfa
   Large Squares: Premium 150.00-160.00.
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

Southwest Colorado Areas
  Grass
   Small Squares: Good 185.00 (6.00 per bale).
  Orchard Grass
   Small Squares – 3 tie: Fair 200.00 (9.00 per bale).
  Orchard/Alfalfa Mix
   Small Squares: Premium 270.00 (13.00 per bale).
   No reported quotes from all other classes of hay.

Mountains and Northwest Colorado Areas
  Grass
   Small Squares: Premium 190.00 (5.50 per bale); Good 150.00.
   Large Squares: Good 100.00-125.00.
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

Northeast: Weld, Washington, Morgan, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Lincoln, Elbert, 
Adams, Sedgwick, Yuma, Larimer, Jefferson, Douglas, Kit Carson, Phillips, 
Logan, Boulder, Arapahoe, and El Paso.
Southeast: Fremont, Custer, Huerfano, Las Animas, Bent, Otero, Prowers, 
Crowley, and Pueblo.
San Luis Valley: Saguache, Alamosa, Costilla, Conejos, Rio Grande, and 
Mineral.
Southwest: Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Montezuma, Dolores, 
San Juan, Hinsdale, Archuleta, and La Plata.
Mountains and Northwest: Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Rio Blanco, Garfield, 
Gunnison, Teller, Grand, Chaffee, Park, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Summit, 
Lake, and Eagle.