Massive amounts of May rainfall in Oklahoma continue to impact hay markets in that state.

"Hay prices are very soft and poorly tested so far," says Jack Carson, USDA market reporter for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture in Oklahoma City. Carson notes that the early rains pushed first cutting into second cutting for many areas. The result was a lot of mature, Fair and Good quality grade hay that is selling for $70 to 80 per ton on a light test.

"There is very little Supreme quality hay available, but a fair amount of Premium hay (RFV 165-175) selling in the $150 to 175 range," reports Carson. Again, demand has been light. On the upper end of dairy-quality hay, a few sales have reached $185 per ton. Carson points out that Good quality alfalfa is selling in the $120 to $140 range under moderate demand.

From a production standpoint, Carson notes that yields have been average to above average for alfalfa. Very little good wheat hay was harvested because of the frequent rain events.

"We still have a great deal of 2014 grass hay carried over, but most of it is not very good quality," explains Carson. He anticipates very good grass hay yields in 2015 because of the May rains.

Carson surmises that there will be plenty of grass hay and Fair to Good quality alfalfa in Oklahoma for 2015, but supplies of Premium and Supreme quality alfalfa may be only light to moderate.