Wyoming, Western Nebraska, and Western South Dakota Hay Report

   Compared to last week, prices were mostly steady with activity very light and
demand good in all classes.  While some producers are starting to cut their 2017
Alfalfa, most producers are looking to a mid-June first cutting with some areas
looking to a July 1st first cutting.  Moisture and cooler temperatures has made
for a later harvest than usual in many areas.   The NASS Wyoming Crop Progress
and Condition report for the week ending May 28, 2017 states that Wyoming
experienced cooler than normal temperatures for the week, according to the
Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service,
USDA.  All but one station (Evanston) reported below average temperatures for
the week with the high temperature of 88 degrees recorded at Greybull and a low
of 24 degrees at Shirley Basin.  All 34 stations reported some precipitation
with Cheyenne having the most at 0.74 inches and Rock Springs having the least
with 0.02 inches.  A reporter from Western Wyoming indicated that the weather
has changed from cool and wet, to hot and dry.  They also indicated that the
high elevation snow pack is melting, livestock have been moved to the range, and
a lot of small grains were planted.  A reporter from South Central Wyoming
stated that they got about a third of an inch of moisture and the grass is
starting to green with the warmer temperatures.  A reporter from Southeastern
Wyoming noted that they have a very good peak of growing season rangeland
conditions.   Another reporter from Southeast Wyoming reported that they have
had a lot of moisture recently which has halted planting and field work.  They
also indicated that the cool temperatures may hurt yields.  Stock water supplies
across Wyoming were rated 4 percent very short, 4 percent short, 78 percent
adequate, and 14 percent surplus.  According to the United States Drought
Monitor, objective short?term blends indicated conditions quickly deteriorating
in the Dakotas and eastern Montana.  Less than one?half inch of precipitation
has fallen (50 percent of normal) during the last 30? days and percentiles were
in the D1?D3 range.  This prompted the expansion of both D0 and D1 in the area.
Based on USDA’s crop progress report released on May 30, North Dakota’s pasture
and range conditions are rated 21 percent poor to very poor while its topsoils
and subsoils were rated at 36 percent and 23 percent, respectively.  South
Dakota’s pasture and range conditions are rated 26 percent poor to very poor and
subsoils were rated at 38 percent and 39 percent, respectively.  Montana’s
pasture and range conditions are rated 17 percent poor to very poor while its
topsoils and subsoils were rated at 34 percent and 20 percent, respectively. 
All prices dollars per ton FOB stack in large square bales and rounds, unless
otherwise noted.  Most horse hay sold in small squares.  Prices are from the
most recent reported sales.

Eastern Wyoming
  Alfalfa
   Large Squares: Good 130.00.
   No reported quotes for other classes of hay.

Central and Western Wyoming
   No reported quotes for other classes of hay.

Western Nebraska
  Alfalfa
   Ground and Delivered: 135.00.
   No reported quotes for other classes of hay.

Western South Dakota
   No reported quotes for other classes of hay.