Demand and Sales
Activity Compared to the previous week, small square bal e prices were down 13 % . Large square bale prices were down 8 % . Large roun d bale prices were down 10 % . Sales activity was very light to light .
For Nebraska , hay prices were steady on limited alfalfa hay sales . Most areas of the state have had rain this week with some eastern parts of the state reporting 7” this week. There is some hay down and wet with quite a lot of 3rd and 4th hay to be mowed and baled. Some grass hay still getting baled. For Iowa , hay prices were steady on very limited alfalfa hay sales . There was very limited hay movement this week. A lot of rain in many areas of the state has stopped hay production in its tracks.
In South Dakota , hay prices were $17.80 low er . Good demand remains for high testing dairy quality alfalfa and high quality grass hay. There is moderate demand for lower quality hays. L arge rains across much of the region have played havoc for those hay growers trying to put up a third cutting of alfalfa this week. Several inches fell in many areas early in this week and last weekend. Coupled with overcast, humid weather the rest of th e week, all haying activities have stopped. There is warmer weather forecast for the weekend and parts of next week. Hay growers are anxious to get a window opened in the weather to make a third cutting before Sep 10, which is a general rule of thumb to allow enough re - growth before a killing freeze hits.
For Missouri , alfalfa hay prices were steady on very limited alfalfa hay sales . Hay supply is moderate and demand is light . High temperatures were the headline for this week. Despite the near triple degree weather grass in most areas continues to be a nice shade of green and is still growing in most areas as moisture has been adequate to promote growth. Some producers are baling fall hay already adding to hay supplies. Several producers also got th e choppers out this week and begin to fill silage piles. Hay movement continues to be very light. Some producers are still trying to move some of last year’s hay crop even.
In Southwest Minnesota , hay prices were steady to $ 0.40 high er . The second cutti ng of alfalfa hay was 94 percent complete . The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 53 percent complete . All hay conditions increased slightly to 68 percent good to e xcellent. Pasture conditions in creased to 63 percent good to excellent.
Pasture conditions were rated 3 percent very poor; 9 percent poor; 25 perce nt fair; 50 percent good; and 13 percent excellent.
There were no state hay reports this week for Illinois . The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 67 % complete compared to the 5 - year average of 75 % . Pasture conditions were stable a nd rated at 2 % very poor; 6% poor; 27% fair; 51% good; and 14 % excellent.
For Wisconsin, hay prices were $10.00 high er at a quality - tested hay auction in Fennimore . Heat and humidity yielded to cooler conditions acro ss Wisconsin during the last days of August. Afternoon high temperatures climbed to the 80s and low 90s early in the week before moderating into the 70s on Wednesday. Periodic showers and storms continued throughout the state.
The rain alleviated soil m oisture deficits that began in July and improved yield prospects for corn, soybeans and other summer crops. Although crop conditions have improved with the beneficial rain of late August, considerable heat will be needed in September to accelerate crops t oward maturity after a cooler - than - normal growing season. The third cutting was 68 percent complete. The fourth cutting was 9 percent complete. All hay condition was rated 81 percent good to excellent. Pasture conditions improved a nd were rated at 3 % v ery poor ; 13 % poor; 30 % fair; 45 % good; and 9 % excellent.
Straw pric es in the Midwest averaged $ 3.05 per s mall square bale (range of $2.25 to $5. 00); $ 30.73 per large square bale (range of $ 20.00 to $ 52.50 ) ; and $ 43.91 per large round bale (range of $ 3 5 .0 0 to $ 55.00 ). Compared to the previous week, straw pric e s for small square bales were 3 % high er . For la rge sq uare bales, prices were 13 % low er . For large round bales, prices were 22 % lower .
Source:uwex.edu
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