Weekly Montana Hay Report

Compared to last week: Alfalfa hay sold steady to firm again this week. Moderate 
market activity continues to be seen. Ranchers continue to buy hay for winter needs 
as cold and snowy weather has got ranchers in the mood to buy. Hay selling in state 
is mostly moving in rounds. Large quantities of old crop hay continue to sell. Prices 
are mostly a 15.00-20.00 discount to new crop hay, however prices for old crop hay
have inched higher in recent weeks. Large sales of hay continue to ship east to 
Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin as demand for hay in those states is very 
good. Wet weather in the upper plains kept farmers from being able to cut hay. As a 
result, supplies of hay are tight in those states. Producers continue to finish 
putting up hay for the season. Early quality tests on 3rd cutting are higher than many
producers expected for finishing so late in the year. Many producers have started to 
price 3rd cutting however limited sales have been seen. All prices are dollars per ton 
and FOB unless otherwise noted.


                                                    
                                              
Alfalfa:   Supreme:  Small squares, NA
                     Large squares, 160.00-175.00 
                     Large rounds,  NA
           Premium:  Large squares, 150.00-175.00
                     Large rounds,  NA
                     Small squares, 225.00-250.00
           Good:     Large squares, 125.00-140.00, export 125.00
                     Large rounds,  110.00-120.00
                     Small squares, 175.00-180.00
         Fair/Good:  Large squares, 110.00-125.00, 
                     Large rounds,  80.00-100.00   old crop 60.00-80.00
                     Small Squares, 125.00-150.00
           Utility   Large rounds,  40.00-60.00
                     Large squares, 70.00-110.00

Grass/                
Alfalfa:   Premium:  Small squares, 180.00
           Good:     Large rounds,  125.00-135.00  
                     Small squares, NA
                     Large squares, 130.00
           Fair:     Large squares, 100.00-110.00
                     Large rounds,  75.00-90.00
                     Small squares, NA
           Utility:  Large squares, NA

  
Grass:     Premium   Large squares  150.00 export
                     Large rounds,  125.00
                     Small squares, NA
           Good:     large squares, 130.00 export
                     Large rounds,  85.00-110.00
           Fair:     Large squares, 100.00-125.00 
                     Large rounds,  75.00-80.00
                     Small squares, NA
           Utility:  Large rounds,  65.00-75.00
                     Large squares, NA
                     Small squares, NA          
     

Timothy 
Grass:     Premium:  Small squares, 240.00-270.00
           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, 35.00-40.00, Old crop 25.00 
                     Large rounds,  40.00
Northern             Large squares, 35.00-45.00
                     Large rounds,  35.00-45.00

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