Colorado Hay Report

Compared to last week, prices were steady with activity and demand good in 
all classes.  Growers are reporting a decrease in yields compared to last year.  
Precipitation in certain areas of the state have hindered the process of putting 
up hay and may cause a shortage in grass hay for the year.  The NASS Colorado 
Crop Progress and Condition report for the week ending August 6, 2017 states 
that localized moisture and cooler temperatures in several areas last week 
helped improve dry conditions, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office 
of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.  A reporter in Morgan 
County noted that in stressed areas, dryland forage crop failures have been 
reported.  Poor pasture conditions are also an immediate concern.  East central 
counties also received moisture, although isolated thunderstorms moved through 
the area mid-week producing crop-damaging hail.  In the San Luis Valley, 
reporters noted that continued precipitation has resulted in diminished hay 
quality and is expected to delay the third cutting of alfalfa.  Use of 
irrigation water was reportedly reduced in areas due to sufficient rain.  Some 
hail was also reported this past week in the San Luis Valley.  .  Reporters in 
Southeastern counties noted that the moisture and cooler temperatures helped 
replenish soil moisture, but hay quality declined and fieldwork remained slow 
due to weather conditions.  Pasture and Range conditions were rated 1 percent 
very poor, 9 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 7 percent 
excellent.  Alfalfa crop condition was rated 4 percent very poor, 12 percent 
poor, 25 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 7 percent excellent.  Alfalfa second 
cutting is 79 percent complete and third cutting is 19 percent complete.  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 155.00 DEL; Good/Fair 140.00 DEL; Utility 117.00 DEL. 
  Grass
   Large Squares: Premium 200.00; Good 180.00-190.00.
   Small Squares: Good 215.00 (7.00 per bale).
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

Southeast Colorado Areas
  Grass
   Small Squares: Premium 245.00 (6.50 per bale), retail.
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

San Luis Valley Area
  Alfalfa
   Large Squares: Supreme 180.00; Fair 115.00, rain damaged.
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

Southwest Colorado Areas
  Grass
   Small Squares: Premium 225.00 (7.50 per bale).
   No reported quotes from all other classes of hay.

Mountains and Northwest Colorado Areas
  Grass
   Large Squares: Good 150.00.
   Small Squares: Good 180.00.
   Round Bales: Good 125.00.
   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.