Weekly
Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the
as of February 3, 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
Demand and Sales Activity
Compared
to the previous week, small square bale prices were down 21%. Large square bale prices were up 2%. Large round bale prices were down 6%. Sales activity was light to active.
In Nebraska, hay prices were steady to $4.60 higher. There were not as many calls for old crop hay this week. Some producers are starting to sell hay due to the “open” winter and some continue to bale corn stalks. For Iowa, hay prices were steady to $0.85 higher on a very light test. Some cow/calf operators are starting to sell some of their reserve hay supply do to the “open” winter. In South Dakota, hay prices were $21.75 lower. Good demand remains for alfalfa as supplies are becoming tight. There is moderate demand for grass hay as supplies more plentiful. There is still a good amount of inquiry from out of state buyers, yet trade activity has slowed considerably.
For Missouri, hay prices were steady on very limited alfalfa supply. Hay supply is light. Demand is good to moderate. Despite the mild January, or what Punxsutawney Phil might say today, winter is far from over and pastures are far from significant spring growth. While mild temperatures have assuaged some of the usual winter concerns, the lack of precipitation is becoming worrisome for some. In Southwest Minnesota, hay prices were $5.15 lower. Sales activity was good.
The demand for Illinois hay was light to moderate, as sales activity was slow to moderate. Hay prices were steady. Hay movement was moderate to active early in January, but slowed as the month of January came to an end. Livestock feeders, especially in Illinois, are thankful for the above normal winter temperatures, which has reduced hay consumption and demand. Also, the demand from out of state buyers has dropped slightly. On the supply side, stocks of hay in the U.S. are the lowest since 1988.
This fact was one reason why producers had seen an increase in the demand for Illinois hay. The demand for wheat straw was moderate to good, with moderate supplies. Demand was the best for livestock bedding and feeding needs.
For Wisconsin, there
were no reports on sales activities and demand.
Straw prices in the Midwest
averaged $3.42 per small square bale (range of $1.75 to $6.00); $39.15 per large
square bale (range of $23.00 to $54.38); and $36.18 per large round bale (range
of $22.00 to $47.50). Compared to the
previous week, straw prices for small square bales were 3% higher. For large square bales, prices were steady. For large round bales, prices were 3% higher.
Hay Price Summary
|
Hay Grade |
Bale type |
---------- Price ($/ton) ---------- |
||
|
Average |
Minimum |
Maximum |
||
|
Prime (> 151 RFV/RFQ) |
Small Square |
223.97 |
128.00 |
340.00 |
|
|
Large Square |
231.96 |
140.00 |
280.00 |
|
|
Large Round |
156.39 |
100.00 |
215.00 |
|
Grade 1 (125 to 150
RFV/RFQ) |
Small Square |
155.83 |
120.00 |
180.00 |
|
|
Large Square |
165.99 |
115.00 |
200.00 |
|
|
Large Round |
121.10 |
95.19 |
155.00 |
|
Grade 2 (103 to 124
RFV/RFQ) |
Small Square |
83.33 |
60.00 |
100.00 |
|
|
Large Square |
112.14 |
80.00 |
130.00 |
|
|
Large Round |
90.15 |
60.00 |
125.00 |
The next Weekly Hay Market
Demand and Price Report for the
on February 13.
2012 Board of Regents of the University
of Wisconsin System, doing business as the Division of
Cooperative Extension of the University
of Wisconsin-Extension