Weekly Montana Hay Report

Compared to last week: Alfalfa hay prices sold mostly steady. 
Heavy hay supplies continue to weigh on producers as a bumper
crop has limited demand. Many ranchers put up their own hay 
and with very good yields seen many have limited the amount of
hay they need to buy. This has added additional pressure to the
market. Third cutting is still being put up in Eastern Montana,
while the Western portions of the state have yet to start. Export
demand for hay is good as loads are being purchased to ship to
the west coast. Demand for hay to ship to drought areas in Colorado
New Mexico and Texas is mostly good. Square prices continue to see
a premium to rounds due to the shipping advantage. The straw market 
sold steady this week. Demand for straw is mostly good as cattlemen
have started to buy straw for winter bedding and feeding needs. 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, 120.00-130.00   
                     Large rounds,  115.00-130.00
                     Small squares, NA
         Fair/Good:  Large squares, 90.00-115.00
                     Large rounds,  85.00-110.00
                     Small Squares, NA
           Utility   Large rounds,  60.00-90.00
                     Large squares, 70.00-90.00

Grass/                
Alfalfa:   Premium:  Small squares, NA
           Good:     Large rounds,  NA   
                     Small squares, NA
                     Large squares, 125.00-140.00
           Fair:     Large squares, 110.00-115.00
                     Large rounds,  105.00-110.00
                     Small squares, 120.00-130.00
           Utility:  Large squares, 70.00-90.00


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,  115.00-125.00
           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, 40.00-50.00
straw:                Large rounds,  40.00-50.00
                      Small squares, NA
                  

Wheat straw:

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