Missouri Weekly Hay Summary Week ending 05/08/2015

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Weather has been very favorable for spring planting and the state is now 
actually ahead of average planting progress. This has come at a cost 
however, lack of any wide spread rain added to the last week and a half 
of above average temperatures and winds have really taken a toll on grass 
growth. Many producers are saying hay fields look short, stunted and 
already trying to make seed heads. Frist cutting of alfalfa and wheat hay 
are gearing up. Although May is also the best month to harvest grass hay 
to get the highest quality many producers historically still choose to 
delay cutting to achieve more quaintly. This choice however, could be a 
sharp double edged sword this year and result in neither if rains do not 
fall soon. The supply of hay is moderate and demand is light. 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).

Supreme quality Alfalfa (RFV <185) 180.00-200.00
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 3.00-6.00 per small square bale

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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).
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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.
=======================================================================
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.
=======================================================================


Source: MO Dept of Ag-USDA Market News Service, Jefferson City, MO
        Tony Hancock, Market Reporter, 573-751-5618
        24 Hour Recorded Report 1-573-522-9244
        www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/JC_GR310.txt
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