Weekly Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the Upper Midwest

as of February 5, 2010

 

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.

 

Demand and Sales Activity

 

Compared to the previous week, small square bale prices were down 23%. Large square bale prices were down 3%. Large round bale prices were down 27%. Sales activity was light to very good.

 

In Nebraska, hay prices were steady. Demand and trade activity were good. For Iowa, hay prices were $15.65 higher. Buyer inquiry was good. Demand and trade activity were very good. In South Dakota, hay prices were mixed to $3.75 lower. The area is again receiving ice, freezing fog and snow. Hay sales and deliveries were slowed by slippery roads. Dairy quality hay supply remains limited, whereas lower quality hay remains abundant. For Missouri, hay prices were steady. Hay demand was light to moderate and the supply was heavy. Snow covered much of southern Missouri this past week. Some areas saw nearly 10 inches of snow, which brought trucking to a halt and made feeding even more of a chore. The arrival of February has many farmers now checking inventories and trying to out guess Mother Nature planning for the remainder of feeding season. In Southwest Minnesota, hay prices were mixed to $16.15 lower. Sales activity was good. For Wisconsin, there were no reports on sales activities and demand.

 

The demand for Illinois hay was moderate to good, with moderate to active sales activity. Hay prices were steady to $1.25 lower. Demand continued to be good for dairy and horse quality hay, with demand for beef hay moderate. Inventories of hay for many producers were smaller than one year ago, with some of the higher qualities of hay becoming very short. Hay production in Illinois was higher than the 2008 season.  According to the USDA's Annual Crop Production report, released on January 12th, all hay production for 2009 was estimated at 2.001 million tons, compared to 1.878 million tons one year ago. Alfalfa and Alfalfa Mixtures category produced 1.326 million tons from 340,000 acres with an average yield of 3.90 tons per acre. The All Other hay category produced 675,000 tons from 270,000 acres, with an average yield of 2.50 tons per acre. The demand for wheat straw was good, with light supplies.

 

Straw prices in the Midwest averaged $2.90 per small square bale (range of $2.00 to $4.50); $30.81 per large square bale (range of $15.00 to $47.00); and $36.30 per large round bale (range of $30.00 to $55.00) Compared to the previous week, straw prices for small square bales down 12%. Large square bale prices were up 10%. Large round bale prices were down 1%.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hay Price Summary                                                                                              

 

 

 

---------- Price ($/ton) ----------

Hay Grade

Bale type

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Prime (> 151 RFV/RFQ)

Small Square

166.39

100.00

300.00

 

Large Square

141.30

90.00

202.92

 

Large Round

102.92

80.00

125.00

Grade 1 (125 to 150 RFV/RFQ)

Small Square

112.50

76.00

154.00

 

Large Square

96.36

53.40

125.00

 

Large Round

75.28

55.00

125.00

Grade 2 (103 to 124 RFV/RFQ)

Small Square

50.00

40.00

60.00

 

Large Square

69.17

55.00

80.00

 

Large Round

57.92

40.00

75.00

 

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

on February 15. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin-Extension