South Dakota Weekly Hay Summary

All prices per ton, unless noted, FOB the stack.

   Compared to last week:  All classes of hay steady.  Demand moderate,
with users of hay buying only what they currently have to have.
Inquiry is reported to have lessened this week.  The weather was not
conducive for putting up dry hay this week as rains and poor curing
conditions plagued hay growers.  The weather had cooled, but still humid,
which kept cut hay from drying quickly before the rain returned.  The big
rains came Wed to the southern tier of the state with some amounts over 6
inches in SE SD.  The rain was not limited to only East River as big
rains also fell out west as 4-5 inch rains were reported in western SD.
The areas in West River that had a very light hay crop last year, if any
at all, have received much more moisture this year.  There will be a hay
crop in those areas this year which is desperately needed as hay stocks
were basically depleted.  Rain was needed across the state after the much
warmer than normal temps that were seen since the last week of May but
this was too much rain for the SE part of the state.  Low land flooding
occurred and creeks and rivers swelled beyond their banks.  Second
cutting of alfalfa will begin next week for producers that weren’t in
the heaviest of the rainfall areas.  The Aberdeen, SD area is still short
of moisture as evidenced by the US Drought Monitor Map showing that area
as experiencing D2 (Severe Drought).  This area missed out on the rains
this week.   All hay and straw sold by the ton FOB, unless otherwise
noted. 

East River:
   Alfalfa:  Premium to Supreme:  Large Squares, 200.00. Premium: Small
Squares, 200.00; Large Squares, 175.00.  Good:  Large Rounds and
Squares, 150.00 del to the dairy.  Fair to Good:  Large Squares 150.00.
Fair:  Large Rounds, 140.00.

   Sun-cured Alfalfa pellets:  15 pct 180.00; 17 pct 185.00.  Alfalfa
Meal:  17 pct 190.00.  

   Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Good:  Large Rounds, 135.00.  Fair to Good:  Large
Rounds, Delivered 135.00. 

   Grass:  Good:  Large Rounds, 125.00.

   Cornstalks:  Large Rounds, 60.00. 

West River:
   Alfalfa:  No Reported Sales.

   Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  No Reported Sales.

   Grass:  No Reported Sales.

   Straw:  No Reported Sales.

Contracts:

   Alfalfa Baleage:  Premium to Supreme: Large Squares Delivered to the Dairy $160 per ton 
on a Dry Matter Basis (includes wrapping) New Crop.