Colorado Hay Report

   Compared to last week, prices were steady with activity very light and good 
demand in all classes.  First cutting for 2017 alfalfa is just getting started 
throughout the state with some regions expecting up to a mid-June first cutting.  
Rain and cooler temperatures have delayed hay cutting in the state, especially 
in the southern portions.  The NASS Colorado Crop Progress and Condition report 
for the week ending May 21, 2017 states that rain and snow across the state 
halted fieldwork mid-week, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the 
National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.  Several localities received 
several inches of rain, with areas at higher elevation receiving moderate to 
heavy snow.  Precipitation continues to improve dryland crop and pasture 
conditions, as well as soil moisture.  The San Luis Valley also received late 
snow and freezing temperatures that damaged some growing alfalfa.  Stored feed 
supplies were rated 4 percent short, 87 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus.  
Sheep death loss was 70 percent average and 30 percent light.  Cattle death loss 
was 2 percent heavy, 77 percent average, and 21 percent light.  Alfalfa stands 
were rated 4 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 66 percent good, and 9 percent 
excellent.  Alfalfa first cutting is 3 percent complete.  According to the 
United States Drought Monitor, a stripe of heavy precipitation from the central 
Rockies into the upper Midwest erased pockets of abnormal dryness (D0) in 
Nebraska and reduced coverage of dryness and moderate drought (D0 and D1) in 
Colorado.  Further, storminess across the central Rockies and environs led to 
further reduction in the coverage of abnormal dryness (D0) and moderate drought 
(D1), mainly in Colorado.  On May 18-19, Cheyenne, Wyoming, was blanketed with 
14.3 inches of snow, while snowfall ranged from 1 to 3 feet at several locations 
in the central Rockies.  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
   Large Squares: Good 90.00-100.00; Fair 95.00 DEL.
  Triticale
   Green Chop: 30% DM 20.00, Contacted Standing.
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

Southeast Colorado Areas
  Alfalfa
   Large Squares: Premium 150.00; Premium/Good 120.00.
   Small Squares: Good/Fair 100.00, Contracted New Crop-Current Delivery.
  Grass
   Large Squares: Premium 227.00, retail.
   Small Squares: Premium 245.00 (6.50 per bale), retail.

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

Southwest Colorado Areas
   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.
   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.