Colorado Hay Report

   Compared to last week, prices were steady with activity light and good demand 
in all classes.  Spring planting is in full swing for several crops across the 
state, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National 
Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.  The NASS Colorado Crop Progress and 
Condition report for the week ending April 23, 2017 states that isolated 
precipitation received in counties continues to improve soil moisture 
conditions, but did limit fieldwork in areas.  Short-term pasture conditions are 
also improving with moisture.  As of April 24th, snowpack in Colorado was at 92 
percent measured as percent of median snowfall.  Stored feed supplies were rated 
4 percent short, 84 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus.  Sheep death loss 
was 35 percent average and 65 percent light.  Cattle death loss was 1 percent 
heavy, 74 percent average, and 25 percent light.  According to the U.S. Drought 
Monitor, precipitation amounts were highly variable, but well-placed moderate to 
heavy rain and wet snow (1-3 inches liquid equivalent, locally more) led to 
reductions of Abnormal Dryness (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1) over southern-most 
portions of Wyoming, northern and northeastern Colorado.  As the region’s 
climatological wet season draws to a close, there were no changes made to the 
drought depiction from the Rockies into the Southwest.  Additional D1 and D0 
reductions were made in eastern Colorado despite lighter rainfall (half inch or 
less), as precipitation totals over the past 90 days were now mostly well above 
normal, with 30-day totals locally more than three times normal.  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
   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.
  Sorghum-Sudan Grass
   Large Rounds: Utility 75.00-85.00 Del.
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

San Luis Valley Area
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

Southwest Colorado Areas
  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.