State-By-State Hay Summary

Hay bales (Journal photo by Lacey Newlin)

Colorado—In the June 20 report, compared to the last report, trade activity and demand light. Stable hay sold mostly steady. According to the NASS Colorado Crop Progress Report for the week ending June 16, alfalfa first cutting harvested is 43%.

Missouri—In the June 20 report, compared to last report, hay prices are steady. The supply of hay is moderate, and demand is light to moderate. Haying is in full swing around the state. Other than the northwest corner of the state which received several inches of rain this week, most the rest of the state had very favorable weather for making hay. Hay yields have varied not only by area but in some cases from field to field as it seemed to just depend on the lay of the land and how fields were affected by the late freeze in April. Fescue seed harvest started early this year and like many other things is running a couple weeks ahead of schedule and seems to over the halfway point now.

Nebraska—In the June 20 report, compared to last report, ground and delivered hay sold steady. Some producers have struggled getting first cutting alfalfa and grass hay up without rain damage. 

Oklahoma—In the June 21 report, compared to the last report, hay trade is slow to steady. After a couple of weeks of no moisture, hay producers could start baling and selling the hay. Oklahoma still has a lot of 2023 hay, which is being sold and still stacked in barns. Even with all of the rain, drought is creeping back across the state due to high temperatures and high winds. Next report will be released July 12.

Texas—In the June 14 report, compared to last report, hay prices are mostly steady, with new crop pricing still slow to be established. Hay demand is slow to steady. Spotty rains recorded in the majority of the trading regions have slowed the hay trade as pastures are greening up. Some excess old crop hay as well as some first cutting are beginning to move, but the majority of the hay moving is still previously contracted loads that are now being delivered. Next report will be released June 28.

South Dakota—In the June 20 report, compared to last report, demand has been lower than normal for this time of year with prices being unsettled. Moving has decreased this week because of rain, it has been raining in South Dakota and the forecasts say more rain which has stopped producers from moving hay until it stops raining.

New Mexico—In the June 21 report, compared to last report, hay sales are steady and the demand is steady in most parts of the state. There has been light moisture on the eastern part of the state. Alfalfa hay for the second cutting is 50% complete, southern part of the state are 3% into their third cutting. According to NASS, New Mexico field office June 16, hay and roughage supplies were reported as 35% very short, 46% short, and 19% adequate, compared with 40% very short, 44% short, and 16% adequate last week.

Wyoming—In the June 13 report, compared to last week, the first real test of the new crop hay market happened this week with no comparable sales for a market trend. Demand was mostly light. Some producers in the eastern side of the state are putting up new crop alfalfa. Hay producers in the central and western reporting areas are planning on harvesting first cutting next week. Tonnage so far looks like a normal year. Few, reports of weevils in different areas of the state. Some producers have applied spray and others have opted not to. Cost of spraying is rather high this year and with decrease in hay prices many can not make it cost effective. Next report will be released June 27.

Montana—In the June 14 report, compared to last report, hay sold generally steady to weak. Hay sales were light this past reporting period as most ranchers have cattle turned out on summer pasture and range. Most of the hay purchased was purchased for use next winter. Buyers were looking for deals on old crop hay, bidding producers mostly lower money as reports of new crop hay conditions have been good in many locations in eastern Montana. Initial reports of new crop have been very good for quality, however tonnage is being reported as lighter than last year. Initial new crop hay sales are near steady with old crop prices. Next report will be released June 28.