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Most states are still reporting hay sales as slow to steady with no significant movement in prices. It was noted in several reports that demand for grass hay has been good. Harvest of other crops is quickly becoming less of an issue as a reason for lack of volume and demand. Below are examples of alfalfa and grass prices being paid FOB per ton (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, November 6. Large ranges for a particular grade and state are often indicative of location and/or bale type differences. Also check the USDA Hay Market Prices for additional locations and more detailed information.
| Alfalfa hay prices reported to USDA from selected states | | | Forage Quality Grade | | Location | Premium+ | Good | Fair | | California | $185-290(d) | $130-185 | $95-125 | | Colorado | $170-200 | $140 | N.A. | | Idaho | $145 | N.A. | $80-110 | | Illinois | $160-300(d) | $190-220(d) | $80-165(d) | | Iowa | $185-215 | $130-160 | $75-130 | | Kansas | $155-210 | $120-150 | $100-120 | | Minnesota | N.A. | N.A. | $80-95 | | Missouri | $150-200 | $120-160 | $100-120 | | Montana | $150-200 | $150-170 | $80-135 | | Nebraska | $185-230 | $70-220 | $65-70 | | New Mexico | $160-200 | $150-170 | $120-150 | | Oklahoma | $130-200 | $100-140 | $90-100 | | Oregon | $195-255 | $140-200 | $110-150 | | Pennsylvania | $240-345 | $210-250 | $160-190 | | South Dakota | $180-195 | $90-200 | $70-160 | | Texas | $185-260 | $150-190 | $160 | | Utah | $120-190 | $100-140 | $85-120 | | Washington | $190-260 | $140 | $120 | | Wisconsin | $145 | $70-110 | N.A. | | Wyoming | $160-215 | $80-120 | N.A. |
| Grass hay prices reported to USDA from selected states | | | Forage Quality Grade | Location | Premium+ | Good | Fair | | Alabama | $90-300 | $70-160 | N.A. | | California | $230-320 | $230 | N.A. | | Colorado | $135-200 | $120(d) | N.A. | | Illinois | $220-320(d) | $120-175 | $80-145 | | Iowa | $130-155 | $100-135 | $85-100 | | Kansas | N.A. | $60-145 | $50-60 | | Minnesota | N.A. | $90-95 | $70-80 | | Missouri | N.A. | $75-100 | $40-70 | | Montana | $180-225 | $115-135 | $80-110 | | Nebraska | N.A. | $75-150 | $65-75 | | Oregon | $230 | $175 | N.A. | | Pennsylvania | $245-370 | $185-305 | $140-220 | | South Dakota | N.A. | $100-130 | $70-95 | | Texas | $160-300 | $120-230 | $70-165 | | Virginia | $171 | $145-150 | N.A. | | Washington | $260-275 | N.A. | N.A. | | Wisconsin | N.A. | $90 | N.A. |
| Table 1: Alfalfa guidelines (for domestic livestock use and not more than 10% grass) | | Quality | ADF | NDF | *RFV | **TDN(100%) | **TDN(90%) | CP | | Supreme | <27 | <34 | >185 | >62 | >55.9 | >22 | | Premium | 27-29 | 34-36 | 170-185 | 60.5-62 | 54.5-55.9 | 20-22 | | Good | 29-32 | 36-40 | 150-170 | 58-60 | 52.5-54.5 | 18-20 | | Fair | 32-35 | 40-44 | 130-150 | 56-58 | 50.5-52.5 | 16-18 | | Utility | >35 | >44 | <130 | <56 | <50.5 | <16 |
*RFV calculated using the Wis/Minn formula. **TDN calculated using the western formula.
Quantitative factors are approximate, and many factors can affect feeding value. Values based on 100 % dry matter (TDN showing both 100% & 90%). Guidelines are to be used with visual appearance and intent of sale (usage).
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.
| Table 2: Grass Hay guidelines | | Quality | Crude Protein Percent | | Premium | Over 13 | | Good | 9 – 13 | | Fair | 5 – 9 | | Low | Under 5 |
Quantitative factors are approximate, and many factors can affect feeding value. Values based on 100% dry matter. End usage may influence hay price or value more than testing results.
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