Weekly Montana Hay Report

Compared to last week:  Hay prices sold fully steady. 
Hay market activity this week was mostly slow. Producers
in western Montana continue to put up 3rd cutting, as the
forecast has turned in their favor. Many cattlemen are busy 
selling calves and have not been active in buying hay. The 
majority of hay sold this week was 3rd cutting as many producers 
are trying to move hay straight out of the fields. On a more 
national outlook, US hay production estimated by USDA-NASS
was just shy of 132 million tons for 2017, 3 million tons
less than was produced in 2016. NASS also estimates total hay
supply is down just shy of 2%. All prices are dollars per ton 
and FOB unless otherwise noted.


                                              
  Alfalfa:    Supreme:  Small squares, 200.00-250.00
                        Large squares, 150.00-155.00
              Premium:  Large squares, 140.00-155.00  
                        Large rounds,  150.00              
              Good:     Large squares, 140.00-155.00           
                        Large rounds,  140.00-175.00
                        Small squares, 140.00-150.00
              Fair:     Large squares, 120.00-150.00, Old crop 120.00
                        Large rounds,  120.00-150.00 
                        Small Squares, 130.00
              Utility   Large rounds,  NA
                        Large squares, 120.00   3rd 
                
Grass/Alfalfa:Premium:  Small squares, NA
              Good:     Large rounds,  150.00     
                        Small squares, NA
              Fair:     Large squares, 125.00-130.00
                        Large rounds,  125.00
              Utility:  Large rounds,  90.00


   Grass:     Premium   Large rounds,  NA
              Good:     Large squares, 140.00
                        Large rounds,  130.00
              Fair:     Large squares, NA
                        Large rounds,  115.00; long haul 100.00
              Utility:  Large rounds,  105.00   
                          

Timothy 
Grass:        Premium:  Small squares, 210.00-240.00
              Premium:  Large rounds,  NA
              Good:     Large rounds,  NA
           

Barley                  Large squares, 43.00-50.00;  long haul 40.00
straw:                  Large rounds,  NA
                        Small squares, NA
                  

Wheat straw:

South central Montana   Large squares, 38.00-40.00; long haul 35.00
Northern Montana        Large squares, NA
                        Large rounds,  NA

Wheat hay:              Large rounds, 120.00