Bi-Weekly Montana Hay Report

Compared to last week:  Hay prices sold generally steady.  Hay
sales are very limited again this week. Many producers in Eastern
Montana have started cutting first cutting and have put up what they
have cut. However, some have hay still on the ground. With rain in the 
forecast for the next few days most producers have stopped cutting and 
are waiting on the weather to clear. New crop contracts are starting to 
filter in and most prices this week are the same as prices published
two weeks ago, however larger quantiles were found this week. Demand 
for hay from the south is starting to increase as buyers from Colorado
are searching for hay in Southern Montana. Hail storm damage has been an 
issue for some producers as some have reported total losses in some 
locations. Additionally, a late spring frost this week knocked down hay
in some central Montana locations and forced producers to cut hay earlier
than expected. However, hay production volume has been high as many 
producers say yields are very good despite all the difficulties faced so 
far this spring. All prices are dollars per ton and FOB unless otherwise 
noted.

                                              
Alfalfa:   Supreme:  Small squares, 200.00-250.00
                     Large squares, NA
           Premium:  Large squares, 150.00-175.00      
                     Large rounds,  150.00-170.00, New crop contract: 170.00 Delivered Eastern Montana
                     Small squares, 180.00
           Good:     Large squares, 150.00     
                     Large rounds,  150.00-165.00, New crop contract: 115.00-125.00
                     Small squares, NA
           Fair:     Large squares, 120.00-150.00
                     Large rounds,  120.00-150.00 
                     Small Squares, NA
           Utility   Large rounds,  NA
                     Large squares, 115.00   

Grass/                
Alfalfa:   Premium:  Small squares, NA
           Good:     Large rounds,  150.00-160.00    
                     Small squares, NA
           Fair:     Large squares, NA
                     Large rounds,  150.00-160.00
           Utility:  Large rounds,  NA


Grass:     Premium   Large rounds,  NA
           Good:     Large squares, NA
                     Large rounds,  NA
           Fair:     Large squares, 110.00
                     Large rounds,  NA
           Utility:  Large rounds,  100.00   
                          

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

Barley                Large squares, NA
straw:                Large rounds,  NA
                      Small squares, NA
                  

Wheat straw:

South central        Large squares, NA
                     Large rounds,  NA
Northern             Large squares, NA
                     Large rounds,  NA