Wyoming, Western Nebraska, and Western South Dakota Hay Report

   Compared to last week, prices were mostly steady with demand good to very 
good in all regions due to drought conditions in Montana and the Dakotas.  The 
NASS Wyoming Crop Progress and Condition report for the week ending July 16, 
2017 states that Wyoming experienced warmer than normal temperatures for the 
week, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National 
Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.  All of the 34 stations reported above 
average temperatures for the week with the high temperature of 102 degrees 
recorded at Torrington and a low of 39 degrees at Lake Yellowstone.  Seven 
stations reported no precipitation and Newcastle had the most precipitation with 
0.84 inches.  Thirty of the 34 stations received below normal precipitation.  A 
reporter from North Central Wyoming indicted that they have had very warm days 
with warm winds which have brought thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and some 
rain.  They also report that livestock have moved to mountain pastures and 
weevils have been a big issue this year.  A reporter from Eastern Wyoming noted 
that despite the rain that they have received fire danger is very high and hay 
yields are very low.  They also report that pasture conditions vary quite alot 
with the cool season grasses doing the best.  A reporter from Western Wyoming 
reported that it was very hot and sunny for the past week with limited 
thunderstorm activity.  They also indicated that most producers have their first 
crop of hay up.  A reporter from South Central Wyoming noted that it was hot, 
and very dry with pastures drying up and meadows maturing very quickly.  They 
also report that the hay crop is sub-par and stock water will soon be a problem.  
Another reporter from South Central Wyoming commented that producers will be 
pulling cattle off summer pastures early due to hot dry conditions.  Another 
reporter from Southeast Wyoming indicated that summer conditions persist and the 
cool season grasses have completed the annual growth cycle.  Stock water 
supplies across Wyoming were rated 9 percent very short, 12 percent short, and 
79 percent adequate.  Alfalfa second cutting is 9 percent complete.  The NASS 
South Dakota Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending July 16, 
2017 states that extreme heat and humidity late in the week impacted most of the 
State, stressing crops, rangeland, and livestock.  Scattered showers and 
thunderstorms brought rain to parts of northeast and western South Dakota.  
However, statewide soil moisture conditions continued to decline as the rainfall 
was not widespread.  There were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork.  Topsoil 
moisture supplies rated 43 percent very short, 42 short, 14 adequate, and 1 
surplus.  Subsoil moisture supplies rated 36 percent very short, 43 short, 21 
adequate, and 0 surplus.  Alfalfa condition rated 48 percent very poor, 33 poor, 
12 fair, 7 good, and 0 excellent. Alfalfa second cutting was 40 percent, near 44 
last year and 42 average.  Pasture and range condition rated 37 percent very 
poor, 31 poor, 21 fair, 11 good, and 0 excellent.  Stock water supplies rated 25 
percent very short, 32 short, 42 adequate, and 1 surplus.  The NASS Nebraska 
Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending July 16, 2017 states that 
significant rainfall of an inch or more was received in the eastern half of 
Nebraska; however, the western half of the State remained relatively dry.  
Topsoil moisture supplies rated 29 percent very short, 36 short, 35 adequate, 
and 0 surplus.  Subsoil moisture supplies rated 22 percent very short, 35 short, 
43 adequate, and 0 surplus.  Alfalfa condition rated 4 percent very poor, 13 
poor, 33 fair, 45 good, and 5 excellent.  Alfalfa second cutting was 84 percent 
complete, ahead of 77 last year and 68 average.  Third cutting was 15 percent.  
Pasture and range conditions rated 6 percent very poor, 20 poor, 39 fair, 33 
good, and 2 excellent.  Stock water supplies rated 4 percent very short, 10 
short, 86 adequate, and 0 surplus.  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: Supreme 140.00-150.00; Premium 130.00; Fair 115.00-120.00.
  Grass/Alfalfa Mix
   Large Squares: Premium 160.00 DEL. 
   No reported quotes for other classes of hay.

Central and Western Wyoming
  Alfalfa
   Small Squares: Premium 190.00 (6.00 per bale).
  Alfalfa/Grass Mix
   Large Squares: Premium/Good 165.00.
   Small Squares: Premium 185.00 (7.50 per bale); Good/Fair 135.00 (4.50 per 
bale).
  Alfalfa/Orchard Grass Mix
   Small Squares: Premium 200.00 (6.50 per bale).
  Timothy
   Small Squares: Premium 225.00 (7.25 per bale).
   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
  Alfalfa
   Large Squares: Premium 150.00.
  Wheat Hay
   Large Squares: Good 80.00. 
   No reported quotes for other classes of hay.