State-By-State Hay Summary
Colorado—In the April 17 report, compared to last report, trade activity and demand light. Horse hay prices saw a steady to .75 cent decline. Feedlots don’t have new crop hay pricing available currently. Offers from the dairy are at $1.00/point delivered on both old and new crop hay. Stored feed supplies were rated 3% very short, 14% short, 74% adequate, and 9% surplus. Pasture and range conditions were rated 14% very poor, 26% poor, 27% fair, 28% good, and 5% excellent. Compared to the same week last year, the state has seen a 29% decline in the good to excellent category.
Missouri—In the April 17 report, compared to last report, hay prices are steady to weak, supply and demand are light to moderate. Pasture conditions are mostly in the fair to good rating. There is a good section of dryness that is somewhat concerning this early in the year which includes a strip of the state from the southwest to northeast corners of the state. So far, no reports of anyone cutting and wrapping any hay but that should get underway soon.
Nebraska—In the April 17 report, compared to last week, grass, alfalfa hay, along with ground and delivered products and dehydrated pellets sold steady. Demand was light to moderate. Reports show a lot of old crop hay across the state. Some livestock owners are buying some extra hay to have on hand to feed livestock longer before heading to summer grass. Or, just to have since prices are near production cost and past years of drought are still engraved in several minds of the sharply higher prices many had to pay. But, with a large carryover of products, one would think hay prices shouldn’t skyrocket higher but time will tell. Few, early contacted trades of bales of alfalfa for fall delivery in the eastern side of the state to the alfalfa mills.
Oklahoma—In the April 11 report, compared to last report, prices remain steady, and demand is slow to steady. The movement on the report is preparation for a dry spring and summer. The first alfalfa cutting is close to being cut and bailed for the beginning of the new hay season. Most of Oklahoma remains highly available on hay supply, there are still a lot of holdovers and barns full of hay. Fortunately, Oklahoma did receive much-needed rains across the state, lessening the drought. Looking into the 10-day forecast, we should receive more moisture in Oklahoma, too. Next report will be released April 25.
Texas—In the April 18 report, compared to last report, hay prices are mostly steady to firm across all regions. Recent rains in portions of the panhandle, north, south and east have been welcome but brought on the cool season weeds. Hay supplies have tightened up and first cutting is still a few weeks away in the south and at least a month or more out in other regions. Drought conditions have worsened in the west and southwest. Stage 3 water restrictions were in effect for the San Antonio Water System, and Stage 4 restrictions were present for farmers and pumpers operating in the Edwards Aquifer. Next report will be released May 2.
South Dakota—In the April 18 report, compared to last report, movement of hay demand is light. Planting of new alfalfa crops have started in some parts of the state. According to NASS, winter wheat condition rated 10% very poor, 30% poor, 38% fair, 22% good, and 0% excellent. Winter wheat headed was 3%. Spring wheat planted was 27%, ahead of 20% last year and 16% for the five-year average. Oats planted was 35%, ahead of 28% last year and 17% average. Emerged was 2%, behind 7% last year, and near 3% average.
New Mexico—As of the Nov. 22, 2024 report, the hay season was complete. No more reports will be issued until May 2025.
Wyoming—In the April 17 report, compared to the last report, reported hay sales steady with last week. Demand is light to instance moderate with quite a lot of 2024 hay onsite. Some producers are thinking of hay auctions to get the barns cleared out before the 2025 hay season starts. Some loads of hay going to out of state customers that are in extreme drought conditions. Some snow showers in the western areas of the state bring much needed moisture.
Montana—In the April 18 report, no summary was available.
