South Dakota Weekly Hay Summary

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

   Compared to last week:  Alfalfa and grass hay steady to firm,
straw not reported recently to offer a comparison, firm undertone
noted.  Demand moderate to good, with best demand being for high
testing alfalfa and high quality grass hay as supplies of these types
are harder to find currently.  The challenges faced by hay growers in
East River this season to put up dry hay continued again this week.
Showers and poor curing conditions, through midweek, made it very
difficult if not impossible to put up high quality hay.  The humidity and
threat of showers finally left the area on Thursday which opened a window
producers needed to get their second cutting of alfalfa started.  A large
amount of first cutting alfalfa and grass hay was put up under very poor
curing conditions and second cutting was delayed due to persistent rains.
The rains and high humidity have really helped the corn crop progress
nicely, except in low land areas that had flooding and ponding issues.
Drought conditions have improved, but there still is a large pocket
of moderate to severe drought around the Huron and Aberdeen area.
The severe drought in West River has improved with only an area of
D0 drought (abnormally dry) in the NW corner of the state.  Haying
is in full swing West River with hot and dry conditions in the forecast.
All hay and straw sold by the ton FOB, unless otherwise noted. 

East River:
   Alfalfa:  Premium: Large Squares, 200.00.  Good to Premium:  Large 
Squares, 170.00.  Good:  Large Squares and Rounds, 150.00.

   Sun-cured Alfalfa pellets:  15 pct 185.00; 17 pct 190.00.  Alfalfa
Meal:  17 pct 195.00.  

   Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Good:  Large Rounds, 150.00. 

   Grass:  Good:  Large Rounds, 140.00.  Fair:  Large Rounds, 120.00.

   Cornstalks:  Large Rounds, 55.00-60.00.

   Straw:  Large Squares, 110.00-120.00

West River:
   Alfalfa:  Good:  Large Rounds, 120.00-130.00.

   Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Good:  Large Rounds, 100.00-120.00. 

   Grass:  No Reported Sales.

   Straw:  No Reported Sales.