Hay Market Demand And Price Report For The Upper Midwest As Of January 9, 2017

Jan 10, 2017

Demand and Sales Activity

Some markets have not sent out reports from last week ’ s auctions. This may or may not be related to the holiday season. Overall the m arket is steady to a touch lower this week. L ower quality hay has influenc e d the market .

For Nebraska , demand is light , prices were steady this week . A dequate supplies of hay provide resistance t o a n increase in price s .

For Iowa , supply is adequate to cover needs with s t eady prices. Demand improved after the holiday season, but prices have remain ed steady. No certified organic hay this week on the market.

In South Dakota , all classes of hay sold steady to weak with very few reported sales . Demand is light. Low cost of other cattle feed is providing little reason to pay more for hay. Better demand for bedding with snow and cold temperatures. In I llinois , no reports from any markets this week .

For Missouri, no report this week . In Southwest Minnesota, total loads of hay have increased this week . Grade 1 or lower quality was available and low quality hay was discounted. In Wisconsin , hay p rice s were lower reflecting only lower quality hay available at the auction. Overall the s traw market had little move ment in prices . Small square bale straw price decreased a veraging $ 2 . 5 0 a bale this week (range of $ 1 . 0 0 to $ 4 . 5 0) .

Large square bale price was stronger with an a verag e price of $ 3 6 . 0 0 per bale (range of $ 20 . 00 to $ 65 .00) . L arge round bale s were unchanged from the last report at $ 3 2 .00 per bale (range of $ 2 5 .00 to $ 3 5 .00) . M arkets mentioned a demand for bedding material s this week with colder weather .

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.