Weekly Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the Upper Midwest

as of Nov. 23, 2012

Data Compiled by Ken Barnett, UW-Extension

All hay prices quoted are dollars per ton FOB point of origin for alfalfa hay unless otherwise noted.

The information presented in this report is compiled from public and private sales and reports in the Midwest.

The past several months of the weekly hay reports are now archived. To view previous hay reports, go to the Buying and Selling Hay and Straw web site and click on the archived hay reports section.

Demand and Sales Activity

Compared to the previous week, small square bale prices were down 2%. Large square bale prices were

down 1%. Large round bale prices were up 1%. Sales activity was moderate to active.

There were no state reports on prices and activity this week for Nebraska or Iowa due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

In South Dakota, hay prices were steady to $29.15 higher. There was good demand for all qualities and classes of hay as supplies are tight. Baling of corn stalks continues again this week as weather conditions remain very dry with no moisture in the 7 day forecast. Supplies of high quality forage are tight, but there remains ample supplies of lower quality such as slough hay, CRP hay, corn stalks, and bean stubble that can be blended into feedlot rations. With the lack of snow cover, cow-calf producers have their cows running on corn stalks which are helping to stretch their hay supplies. Most of the region remains in “Exceptional Drought” conditions.

For Missouri, alfalfa hay prices were steady. The supply is light and the demand is moderate. Grass hay of poor to fair quality is available throughout the state, although sales of this less desirable product are limited. Dairy quality hay is also seen in a moderate supply, but with a hefty price tag keeping those sales limited as well. The bulk of hay produced falls between these two extremes and has a light supply with moderate demand.

In Southwest Minnesota, hay prices were $55.00 higher. Sales activity was good. The demand for Illinois hay was moderate to good, with moderate sales activity. Hay offerings were light to moderate. Hay prices were $30.10 higher.

For Wisconsin, hay prices were $7.80 higher on active trading at a quality-tested hay auction in Fennimore. There was no state report on crop conditions.

Due to the drought emergency and the lack of quality-tested hay auctions in Wisconsin, four links are included in this report so producers can get obtain some state prices. The Equity Cooperative market report is at http://livestock.equitycoop.com/market_reports/. Go to the Lomira and Reedsville locations for their reports on hay and straw prices. The Fennimore Livestock Exchange is at

http://www.fennimorelivestock.com/index.php?site=home. The Reynolds Feed & Supply, LLC of Dodgeville is at http://www.reynoldslivestock.com/what1snew/. The Tim Slack Auction and Realty, LLC of Fennimore is at http://www.timslackauctionrealty.com/market%20report.html.

Straw prices in the Midwest averaged $3.47 per small square bale (range of $1.75 to $6.00); $36.88 per large square bale (range of $20.00 to $55.00); and $40.00 per large round bale (range of $20.00 to $52.50). Compared to the previous week, straw prices for small square bales were 7% higher. For large square bales, prices were 14% lower. For large round bales, prices were 8% higher.

Hay Price Summary

Hay Grade	Bale type	---------- Price ($/ton) ----------
		Average	Minimum	Maximum
Prime (> 151 RFV/RFQ)	Small Square	275.00	160.00	350.00
	Large Square	292.74	247.50	322.50
	Large Round	249.97	190.00	280.00
Grade 1 (125 to 150 RFV/RFQ)	Small Square	120.00	120.00	120.00
	Large Square	253.39	175.00	297.50
	Large Round	209.38	150.00	280.00
Grade 2 (103 to 124 RFV/RFQ)	Small Square	No reported sales
	Large Square	206.50	206.50	206.50
	Large Round	172.36	153.33	197.50
Grade 3 (87 to 102 RFV/RFQ)	Small Square	No reported sales
	Large Square	232.50	215.00	250.00
	Large Round	245.00	245.00	245.00

The next Weekly Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the Upper Midwest will be posted

on December 3.

Helpful resources in Wisconsin about the drought:

Extension Responds - Drought 2012: http://fyi.uwex.edu/drought2012/

Farmer to Farmer website: http://fyi.uwex.edu/drought2012/2012/07/20/farmer-to-farmer-website-connects-those-with-feed-for-livestock-to-those-who-need-it/

An electronic neighborhood bulletin board that allows local farmers to get in touch with one another to facilitate the marketing of feed commodities. It has recently been expanded to connect those with productive pastures to those producers who are in need of pastures.

Drought 2012 (DATCP): http://datcp.wi.gov/Farms/Drought_2012/index.aspx

Drought 2012 (Wisconsin Emergency Management): http://ready.wi.gov/drought/default.asp

2012 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, doing business as the Division of

Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin-Extension