Weekly Montana Hay Report

Compared to last week:  Hay prices sold mostly 5.00-10.00 lower as the 
hay market tries to find its footing. Hay sales were mostly moderate this 
week with significantly larger sales seen compared to last week. Demand
for hay continues to be mostly light as supplies are heavy across the 
state. With heavy supplies seen ranchers haven’t seen a need to step up 
and buy hay. Bids and asking prices are often far apart and have led to 
slow market establishment. Export demand for hay is light to moderate and 
buyers have spent some time in the state over the past two weeks trying to
pick up sales. Straw sales are starting to pick up. Demand for straw was
light to moderate this week on significantly higher sales volume. Prices
sold steady to firm. All prices are dollars per ton and FOB unless otherwise 
noted.



                                              
Alfalfa:   Supreme:  Small squares, 200.00-250.00
                     Large squares, 180.00 old crop
           Premium:  Large squares, NA    
                     Large rounds,  NA
                     Small squares, NA
           Good:     Large squares, NA    
                     Large rounds,  140.00
                     Small squares, NA
         Fair/Good:  Large squares, 105.00-125.00
                     Large rounds,  100.00-115.00
                     Small Squares, NA
           Utility   Large rounds,  90.00-100.00
                     Large squares, 100.00

Grass/                
Alfalfa:   Premium:  Small squares, NA
           Good:     Large rounds,  NA   
                     Small squares, NA
                     Large squares, 135.00
           Fair:     Large squares, 115.00
                     Large rounds,  NA
                     Small squares, 120.00-130.00
           Utility:  Large squares, 90.00-110.00


Grass:     Premium   Large rounds,  NA
                     Small squares, 200.00
           Good:     Small squares, 185.00
                     Large rounds,  120.00
           Fair:     Large squares, 125.00
                     Large rounds,  100.00-125.00
           Utility:  Large rounds,  100.00
                     Large squares, NA
                     Small squares, 130.00
     

Timothy 
Grass:     Premium:  Small squares, 240.00, old crop; 210.00, new crop
           Premium:  Large rounds,  NA
           Good:     Large rounds,  NA
                     Small squares, 160.00-180.00
           

Barley                Large squares, 40.00-45.00
straw:                Large rounds,  40.00-45.00
                      Small squares, NA
                  

Wheat straw:

South central        Large squares, NA
                     Large rounds,  NA
Northern             Large squares, 35.00-40.00
                     Large rounds,  NA