State-By-State Hay Summary
Colorado—In the July 25 report, compared to the last report, trade activity and demand light. Ask prices from growers remain mostly unchanged this week. Several end users aren’t even offering a bid for new crop hay. Stable hay sold mostly steady. According to the NASS Colorado Crop Progress Report for week ending July 21, alfalfa second cutting harvested is 33%, third cutting 5%. Stored feed supplies were reported as 4% very short, 12% short, 76% adequate, and 8% surplus.
Missouri—In the July 25 report, compared to last report, hay prices are weak, the supply of hay is moderate, and demand is light. Several producers around the state, especially in the south, are currently dealing with an infestation of army worms. Although they appear every year it is speculated that moths blew up with hurricane winds a few weeks ago and has led to a larger than normal infestation this year. There is still a fair amount of haying taking place and producers have been able to rebuild inventories. This as resulted in a very slow market as there is not currently much buyer demand.
Nebraska—In the July 25 report, compared to last report, bales of hay sold steady. Ground and delivered hay steady. Dehydrated pellets in the Platte Valley were steady with dehydrated and sun-cured pellets in the eastern side of the state $20 lower. Demand is light to moderate. Appears to be more willing sellers than buyers on most products of hay. Best demand is for hay going to the dairies in the easy to transport large square bales. Hail has taken out several pivots of corn that was to be chopped into silage or harvest for high moisture corn for feedlots. Some corn will still be chopped but the tonnage will be substantially lower in these fields. It will be interesting to see where the feedlots will turn for their roughage supply. Will it increase the price for the alfalfa in those areas? Time will tell.
Oklahoma—In the July 12 report, compared to the last report, the hay trade is at a standstill to slow demand. Due to an excessive supply of hay from 2023, new crop hay that continues to be baled, and rain showers continue to cover the state during the summer. Next report will be released Aug. 2.
Texas—In the July 26 report, compared to last report, hay prices are weak across most regions, but up to $10 to $20 lower in the Panhandle. Lower prices in the Panhandle are in part due to timely rains allowing producers to stay on summer pastures as well as hay coming in from out of state. Heavy rains in the north and portions of the south have pasture conditions mostly ranging from fair to excellent. While in the Panhandle, west, and central regions show pasture conditions in mostly poor to fair conditions. Hay trade is still pretty limited on poor to moderate demand. Hay quality has been mixed with a lot of hay in the south being put up in the utility to fair range. This is mostly due to rains and wind from Hurricane Beryl delaying cutting causing the crop to mature before fields were dry enough for producers to get in and cut. Next report will be released Aug. 9.
South Dakota—In the July 26 report, compared to last report, demand has been lower than normal for this time of year. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor Website South Dakota is mostly under normal soil conditions except for western South Dakota is under abnormally dry to moderate dry soil conditions.
New Mexico—In the July 25 report, compared to last report, hay is steady with a lot being put in barns. With extreme heat and some flooding in some areas for the state some fields are struggling. According to New Mexico Crop Progress report for July 21, nearly all producers saw adequate to abundant moisture last week. Alfalfa hay is 98% complete with second cutting, 23% complete with third and 9% with fourth cutting,
Wyoming—In the July 25 report, compared to the last report, hay prices are holding steady. Demand is moderate. Some hay producers are finally cutting ties with last years hay inventory and are taking less money per ton for they hay than they wanted to, but many must make room for this year’s production. Hot dry weather across the state with temperatures in the high 90s to low 100s but on the bright side most of the state has low humidity. Low humidity does make it tough to keep leaves on they alfalfa hay. But bright LED lights of their tractors do help as they bale hay throughout the night. Tonnage reports continue to be off from last year from various reasons throughout the state.
Montana—In the July 26 report, compared to last report, hay sold generally steady to weak. New crop hay continues to see slow movement as most producers are seeing light interest. Rancher to rancher sales are making an impact on the market as many ranchers are opting to sell new crop hay while feeding old crop hay this winter. Demand for hay is mostly light. Export hay demand is light as many exporters have ample hay supplies purchased from last year that have yet to ship. Additionally a strong dollar is hindering the purchase of additional hay for export. Western states, which see the largest volume of hay purchased for export continue to sell hay on par with current Montana prices. This makes shipping hay west difficult due to freighting cost. New crop hay yields continue to come in light across the state. Most producers are blaming it on a cooler wet spring. Many producers say yields are down from 15% to 30% compared to last year.
