USDA Montana Hay                                   05/03 13:25
AMS_2769
 
Montana Direct Hay Report

                               Released on May 03, 2024
 
Direct Hay Weighted Average Report for week ending 05/03/2024
 
                                      VOLUME
                    This Week         Last Reported         Last Year
                                       (04/22/2024)
Tons:
      Hay           475                 3320                                    
----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total         475                 3320                                    
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Compared to last week: Hay sold generally steady.
Several loads of hay continue to sell into Canada.
Although the US dollar remains strong, many buyers are being forced to 
look for hay in the states as winter kill has limited spring grazing 
for some Canadian ranchers.
Buying has been very active in northern Montana and in some locations 
in central Montana.
Many locations remain dry and mountain snowpack is well below average, 
however a system is expected to bring more valley rain and mountain 
snow over the next week.
Some rain fell across the state this past week but many producers reported 
only light precipitation.
Supplies of hay remain heavy which is keeping hay prices near steady.
Some producers are content to carry hay over into the next crop year 
and hope demand continues to improve.
The best demand for feeder quality (utility and fair) hay remains around 
$130.00-150.00/ton delivered.
Demand for straw is light as heavy straw supplies continue to be seen 
especially in the northern portion of the state.
According to the drought monitor 43.37% of the state is in Moderate drought 
or worse, up 3.65% from last week.
12.69% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, unchanged from last week.
1.47% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, also unchanged from 
last week.

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Hay Conventional
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Alfalfa Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       375       125.0   125    F.O.B.                         

Timothy Grass Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Small Square           25        270.0   270    F.O.B.                         

Timothy Grass Premium Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Small Square           75        270.0   270    F.O.B.