Colorado Hay Report

Compared to last week, trade activity and demand light to moderate.  
Northeast Colorado growers and buyers finding a bottom to the price point 
of dairy and feedlot hay as some growers are holding out for better 
offers.  Southeast Colorado cattleman committed to keeping core herds 
have been buying supplemental forage recently to get them through the 
summer months as pasture and range conditions continue to deteriorate.  
In the San Luis Valley, trade inactive on dairy quality alfalfa as 
producers and buyers are still working to agree on pricing.  Horse 
quality grass hay prices firm on light trade activity.  Producers in 
southwest Colorado are wrapping up 1st cutting grass and alfalfa hay 
while battling dry, windy conditions.  Yields for 1st cutting alfalfa are 
lower than expected due to late freeze, firming up dairy hay market 
prices for growers.    In the Mountains and Northwest Colorado regions, 
hay producers are holding out for better market conditions on carry-over 
horse quality hay.  According to the U.S Drought Monitor’s High Plains 
Summary released June 23, 2020; similar to the Southern and Central 
Plains, many areas in the High Plains Region have fallen victim to above-
normal temperatures, high winds, and a lack of precipitation in recent 
weeks.  Soil moisture also continues to suffer across western North 
Dakota, much of Wyoming, and all of Colorado (CPC showing soil moisture 
below the 5th percentile for much of Colorado).  Colorado has reported 
several episodes of 100-degree days in the southeast portion of the state 
in recent weeks, as well as cattle being sold and failing winter wheat 
crops. As such, severe drought (D3) is status quo this week for southern 
and southeastern Colorado.  According to the NASS Colorado Crop Progress 
Report for week ending June 21, 2020, 1st cutting harvested alfalfa hay 
is at 75 percent, 2nd cutting at 2 percent with crop condition 
percentages for alfalfa hay rated 10 percent Very Poor, 12 percent Poor, 
28 percent Fair, 44 percent Good and 6 percent Excellent.  Stored feed 
supplies were rated 7 percent very short, 18 percent short, 71 percent 
adequate, and 4 percent surplus.  The next available report will be 
Thursday, July 2, 2020.  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: Good 160.00.
                  Good 165.00, DEL.
                  Fair 125.00-135.00, Contract, DEL.
  Alfalfa/Grass
   Large Squares: Premium 225.00, Retail/Stable.
   Small Squares: Premium 260.00-307.50 (7.75-10.00), Retail/Stable.
  Timothy/Brome Grass
     Mid Squares: Premium 260.00, Retail/Stable.
   Small Squares: Premium 255.00 (7.65 per bale), Retail/Stable.
  Grass
   Small Squares: Premium 335.00 (10.00 per bale), Retail/Stable.
  Oat Hay
   Large Squares: Premium 125.00.
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

Southeast Colorado Areas
  Alfalfa
     Mid Squares: Premium 180.00.
   Small Squares: Premium/Supreme 300.00 (9.00 per bale), Retail/Stable.
                  Premium 240.00 (8.00 per bale).
                
  Grass
   Small Squares: Premium 315.00 (9.00 per bale), Retail/Stable.
  Triticale
     Mid Squares: Premium 140.00.
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

San Luis Valley Areas
  3-Way Forage Grass Mix
   Small Squares: Premium 325.00 (9.00 per bale), Retail/Stable.
   No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.

Southwest Colorado Areas
  Alfalfa
   Large Squares: Premium 175.00.
  3-Way Forage Grass Mix
   Small Squares: Premium 300.00-365.00 (9.00-11.00 per bale), Certified 
Weed Free.
  Grass
   Small Squares: Premium 215.00-230.00 (7.00 per bale), Retail/Stable.
   No reported quotes from all other classes of hay.

Mountains and Northwest Colorado Areas
  Grass
   Small Squares: Premium 270.00 (7.00 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.

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