Hay Report Released
Share
Tweet
According to the USDA Montana Direct Hay Report released out of the Billings office on Friday, July 9, hay sold generally steady in late June. Many producers were cutting their first crop of hay in central portions of the state, while eastern and southern Montana already had some hay in the bale. Due to very light sales receipts, the hay report will be released bi-monthly until early August when heavier receipts can be confirmed. The next report will release on July 15.
On June 24, the Hay Report related that "demand for hay was light to moderate. Old crop hay sales continue to occur but on an as needed basis. [Despite recent rainfall], it remains very dry in Northcentral Montana and across the front slope. Buyers continue to search for hay to make it to first cutting. Many producers are starting to cut first cutting in the central portions of the state, while eastern and southern Montana has some hay already in the bale."
The report went on to say that "discussions of new crop hay contracts continue as two camps are establishing positions: Eastern and Southern Montana producers are more proactive in trying to establish the hay market as rains have helped produce what many see as a bumper crop, while central and western Montana are more reserved as they see dry conditions across the front slope and highline along with very good demand from western states as beneficial to hay prices."
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM), which is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country, 32.99% of Montana is in moderate drought or worse. That statistic is down 7.2% from two weeks ago. Closer to home, 96.10% of Blaine County is experiencing D2, or severe drought, conditions.
For interested producers, the report also shares prices alfalfa, alfalfa/grass mix, and timothy grass hay.
