Missouri Weekly Hay Summary Week ending 04/25/2014
Friday, April 25, 2014
Farmers made good progress planting crops in the past week. After a slow start corn planting has progressed to nearly equal to the 5 year average. As typical for this time of year the hay business is slow. Carryover of last year’s hay is much lighter than anyone would have predicted going in to last winter. Although winter moisture was not abundant by any means cold weather resulted in a lot of hay being fed. Attention is now focused on this year’s crop and many are gearing up for the first cutting of the season which is just a few weeks out in some areas of the state. Equipment is being readied and so far weather is potentially going to allow for some good quality hay as growth rates seem to be at about the right balance to provide both good yield and quality. Hay demand is light, supply is moderate, and prices are steady. The Missouri Department of Agriculture has a hay directory available for both buyers and sellers. To be listed, or for a directory visit http://mda.mo.gov/abd/haydirectory/ or for current listings of hay http://agebb.missouri.edu/haylst/ (All prices f.o.b. and per ton unless specified and on most recent reported sales price listed as round bales based generally on 5x6 bales with weights of approximately 1200-1500 lbs). Premium quality Alfalfa (RFV 170-180) 150.00-190.00 Good quality Alfalfa (RFV 150-170) 120.00-160.00 Fair quality Alfalfa (RFV 130-150) 100.00-120.00 Good quality Mixed Grass hay 75.00-95.00 Fair to Good quality Mixed Grass hay 40.00-65.00 Fair quality Mixed Grass hay 20.00-35.00 per large round bale Fair to Good quality Bromegrass 50.00-70.00 Wheat straw 3.00-5.00 per small square bale Source: MO Dept of Ag-USDA Market News Service, Jefferson City, MO Sarah Wilkinson, Market Reporter, 573-751-5618 24 Hour Recorded Report 1-573-522-9244 www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/JC_GR310.txt www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/JC_GR310.txt