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 28, 2017 states that northern Colorado experienced mixed
weather in the form of isolated hail and heavy rains that halted fieldwork while
southern Colorado experienced milder weather ideal for planting last week,
according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural
Statistics Service, USDA.  Some crop damage from the hail was reported in
northeastern Colorado affecting corn, wheat, alfalfa and sugar beets.  Non-
irrigated crops that were planted and rangeland in Northern Colorado benefited
greatly from last week’s precipitation.  Several locations reported pest control
problems for the alfalfa crop.  As of May 30th, snowpack in Colorado was at 188
percent measured as percent of median snowfall.  The Southwest and San Luis
Valley were 201 and 156 percent, respectively.  Stored feed supplies were rated
4 percent short, 87 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus.  Sheep death loss
was 68 percent average and 32 percent light.  Cattle death loss was 1 percent
heavy, 76 percent average, and 23 percent light.  Alfalfa stands were rated 6
percent poor, 23 percent fair, 63 percent good, and 8 percent excellent. 
Alfalfa first cutting is 12 percent complete.  According to the United States
Drought Monitor, in Colorado, cooler-than-normal temperatures have slowed the
snow melt resulting in below average streamflow conditions in the Yampa, White
and Colorado Rivers. Streams are particularly sensitive to these patterns as the
flows normally begin to peak this time of year. The remaining snowpack across
the region remains above normal across the Upper Colorado River Basins and
eastern Colorado for this time of year. The small pocket of abnormal dryness in
central Colorado is reflective of drier-than-normal areas of vegetation and
soils.  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.
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

Southeast Colorado Areas
  Alfalfa
   Large Squares: Premium 150.00; Premium/Good 120.00.
  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.