| USDA Hay Market Prices – January 16, 2018 | 
| By Hay and Forage Grower | 
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| Below are examples of alfalfa and grass prices being paid FOB barn/stack (except for those noted as delivered, which is indicated by a "d" in the table below) for selected states at the end of the day on Friday, January 12. Large ranges for a particular grade and state are often indicative of location and/or bale size. Also check the USDA Hay Market Prices for additional locations and more detailed information.   
 Hay Quality Designations physical descriptions: Supreme: Very                       early maturity, pre-bloom, soft fine stemmed,  extra        leafy.         Factors       indicative of very high  nutritive    content.     Hay is         excellent color   and     free  of damage. Premium: Early                       maturity, i.e., pre-bloom in legumes and pre head   in       grass       hays,       extra   leafy and fine stemmed-factors         indicative of a    high      nutritive     content.   Hay is  green  and       free of damage. Good: Early                       to average maturity, i.e., early to mid-bloom in       legumes     and       early      head  in grass hays, leafy, fine to       medium   stemmed,    free  of     damage    other   than  slight       discoloration. Fair:                       Late maturity, i.e., mid to late-bloom in legumes,         head-in       grass       hays,   moderate or below leaf  content,   and      generally    coarse      stemmed.     Hay may   show  light   damage. Utility: Hay                       in very late maturity, such as mature seed pods in         legumes    or        mature     head in grass hays, coarse   stemmed.   This      category    could       include hay     discounted   due to   excessive      damage and  heavy   weed       content or mold. 
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