Colorado Hay Report

   Compared to last week, trade activity and demand moderate.  As the haying 
season enters its final stretch, meadow hay producers in drought-stricken areas 
of the state are reporting that yields are averaging 20 percent or less of what 
they produced last year.  These factors have driven the above normal hay prices 
for the retail/stable markets seen this summer.  Drought has increased prices in 
the dairy and feedlot markets as well, but to a lesser extreme.  End users have 
been forced to use alternative feedstuffs this year increasing demand for oat 
hay, wheat hay, rye hay, and CRP grass hay.  According to the U.S. Drought 
Monitor’s High Plains Drought Summary for August 28, 2018, in eastern Colorado, 
D3 was improved to D2 in Crowley County and northern Otero County, where there 
were a few isolated thunderstorms in the area over the past week. D2 improved to 
D1 in southeast Las Animas County and western Baca County, where up to 2 inches 
of rain fell. Eastern Baca and Prowers Counties also received up to 2 inches of 
rain, allowing for improvement from D1 to D0.  According to the NASS Colorado 
Crop Progress report for week ending August 26, 2018, stored feed supplies were 
rated 4 percent very short, 21 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 4 percent 
surplus.  3rd cutting alfalfa progress is at 56 percent, 4th cutting 1 percent.  
Pasture and range conditions percentages are 26 percent Very Poor, 24 percent 
Poor, 23 percent Fair, 24 percent Good, and 3 percent Excellent.  The next 
available report will be Thursday, September 6, 2018.  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: Utility 160.00, DEL.
   Small Squares: Supreme 310.00 (10.00 per bale), Retail/Stable; Supreme 245.00 
(8.00 per bale), Weedy.
   Rounds: Premium/Supreme 200.00, Retail/Stable.
  Alfalfa/Grass
   Rounds: Premium 200.00-225.00, Retail/Stable.
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

Southeast Colorado Areas
  Alfalfa
   Large Squares: Supreme 235.00; Good 190.00-230.00, DEL; Fair/Good 175.00, 
Rain Damaged.
   Mid Squares: Premium 250.00.
   Small Squares: Supreme 260.00-295.00 (8.50-9.50 per bale).
  Grass
   Small Squares: Premium 350.00 (10.50 per bale), Retail/Stable.
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

San Luis Valley Area
  Grass
   Large Squares: Premium 280.00.
  Straw
   Large Squares: 90.00.
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

Southwest Colorado Areas
  Timothy Grass
   Small Squares: Premium 430.00 (14.00 per bale), Retail/Stable.
   No reported quotes from all other classes of hay.

Mountains and Northwest Colorado Areas
  Grass
   Large Squares: Good/Premium 200.00-230.00.
   Mid Squares: Premium 285.00, Retail/Stable.
   Small Squares: Premium 290.00-300.00 (8.00-9.00 per bale), Retail/Stable.
   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.