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Weekly Hay Market Demand And Price Report For The Upper Midwest

By Ken Barnett

Demand and Sales Activity

Compared to the previous week, small square bal e prices were up 15 % . Large square bale prices were down 7 %. Large roun d bale prices were down 2 % . Sales activity was very light to light .

For Nebraska , hay prices were steady to $1.90 higher on limited alfalfa hay sales . Demand was light. For Iowa , hay prices were steady on very limited alfalfa hay sales . There was ve ry limited hay movement this week. Warmer and dryer temperatures this week have enabled producers to put good or better hay in the barns.

In South Dakota , hay prices were $30.3 0 low er . Mild temperatures and low humidity levels allowed hay to cure quic kly. There was very good demand for high testing dairy quality alfalfa and high quality new crop grass hay, with less demand for lower quality alfalfa and year old grass hay. Demand remains moderate with producers reporting good interest. New crop straw is starting to move with wheat harvest underway across much of the state. Pockets of rain were reported across parts of the eastern region, with anywhere from .20 to 1.0 inches of rain received.

For Missouri , alfalfa hay prices were steady on very lim ited alfalfa hay sales . Hay supply is moderate and demand is light . Jackets were quickly thrown back in the trucks as last week’s record lows turned to heat indexes of over 100. Producers in all regions of the state have made good progress over the la st couple of moisture free weeks getting hay baled. Given that it is mid - July pasture and water conditions aren’t in too bad of shape, producers would be accepting of a good shower to keep grass green. Hay movement continues to be very limited.

In Sout hwest Minnesota , hay prices were $ 15.00 high er . The first and second cuttings of alfalfa hay were 97 and 50 percent complete, respectively. All hay conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 3 3 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 11 percent exc ellent. Pasture conditions were rated 2 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 17 perce nt fair, 57 percent good, and 20 percent excellent. There were no state hay reports this week for Illinois . The second cutting of hay was 80 % complete compared to the 5 - y ear average of 85 %. Pasture condition s declined slightly and were rated at 1 % very poor ; 2% poor; 25 % fair; 54 % good; and 18 % excellent.

For Wisconsin, hay prices were $24.80 high er at a quality - tested hay auction in Lancaster . Sweltering heat replaced last week’s abnormally cool weather. A complex of strong to severe thunderstorms provided rain and some relief to the north and southeast, but much of the state remained dry. Showers and storms exited the southeast on Tuesday and cooler, less humid cond itions returned for the rest of the week.

Despite the early - week heat, the season is still an average of four days behind last year and nine days behind the 30 - year average. Yield and quality of the second cutting was reportedly good, but difficult field conditions meant that some producers were just finishing the last of their first cutting while others were beginning the third. The second cutting was 66 percent complete. All hay condition was rated 88 percent good to excellent. Pasture conditions dec lined slightly and were rated at 0% very poor; 0% poor; 10 % fair; 63 % good; and 25 % excellent.

Source:uwex.edu

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