Weekly Montana Hay Report

Compared to last week: Alfalfa hay sold fully steady this week on light to
moderate demand. Moisture continues to remain the story as additional rain 
and snow has been seen in many locations throughout the week. According to
The National Drought Mitigation Center's weekly drought assessment only 1.11
percent of the state remains in a moderate drought. This is one of the lowest
readings for drought observed in the last year. With warm weather and green
grass starting to pop up across many portions of the state demand has subsided
drastically. New hay sales this week were near nil as a result. Hay producers
continue to be busy shipping hay that was already sold earlier in the year.
Slight interest was seen this week for high quality hay as many purebred 
operations are beginning to get ready for breeding season. However, prices for
high quality alfalfa remain steady. Grass hay sold on light to moderate demand 
and offerings. Limited new sales were seen this week. All prices are dollars 
per ton and FOB unless otherwise noted.


                                              
  Alfalfa:   Supreme:   Small squares, 200.00
              Premium:  Large squares, 115.00-120.00  
                        Small squares, 200.00        Retail                  
              Good:     Large squares, 110.00-140.00                  
                        Large rounds,  120.00-140.00
                        Small squares, 120.00-150.00
              Fair:     Large squares, 105.00-130.00 
                        Large rounds,  115.00-130.00
                        Small Squares, 120.00
              Utility   Large rounds,  90.00-115.00
                        Large squares, 115.00
                
Grass/Alfalfa:Premium:  Small squares, 150.00-160.00
              Good:     Large rounds,  120.00-150.00       
                        Small squares, 150.00
              Fair:     Large squares, NA
                        Large rounds,  110.00-120.00

   Grass:     Premium   Large rounds,  NA
              Good:     Large squares, NA
                        Large rounds,  110.00-125.00
              Fair:     Large squares, NA
                        Large rounds,  105.00-120.00
              Utility:  Large rounds,  100.00        Old crop 80.00
                          

Timothy 
Grass:        Premium:  Small squares, 210.00-240.00
              Premium:  Large rounds,  120.00-125.00
              Good:     Large rounds,  110.00-120.00
           

Barley                  Large squares, 45.00-65.00
straw:                  Large rounds,  45.00-65.00
                        Small squares, 50.00-65.00
                  

Wheat straw:

South central Montana   Large squares, 40.00-50.00
Northern Montana        Large squares, 45.00-50.00
                        Large rounds,  45.00-50.00