USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture - June 18, 2020
GL_GR310
Greeley, CO Thu Jun 18, 2020 USDA-CO Dept of Ag Market News
Colorado Hay Report
Compared to last week, trade activity and demand light. Northeast
Colorado 1st cutting haylage complete and growers wrapping up baling in
dry, windy conditions. Producers in southwest Colorado are wrapping up
1st cutting grass and alfalfa hay while battling dry, windy conditions.
Southeast Colorado battling D3 drought category as pasture and range
conditions continue to deteriorate. Trade activity is getting underway
for first cutting alfalfa in the San Luis Valley as producers and buyers
try to find a middle ground on pricing. Growers there are being
encouraged to cut back on irrigation water usage for 2nd cutting.
Weather conditions remain unchanged in the Mountains and Northwest
Colorado regions as producers express concerns as to what yields will be
on meadow grass hay. According to the U.S Drought Monitor’s High Plains
Summary released June 16, 2020; conditions are rapidly deteriorating
through most of the High Plains Region. Although rainfall deficits only
date back a few weeks to a few months, other factors are making things
worse, specifically abnormal heat, low humidity, and gusty winds. All
these factors led to broad areas of deterioration in eastern Colorado,
southern Kansas, Wyoming, the Dakotas, and adjacent parts of Nebraska.
Notably, extreme drought (D3) expanded to cover a large part of southern
and eastern Colorado, and adjacent parts of Kansas. According to the
NASS Colorado Crop Progress Report for week ending June 14, 2020, 1st
cutting harvested alfalfa hay is at 63 percent with crop condition
percentages for alfalfa hay rated 11 percent Very Poor, 16 percent Poor,
28 percent Fair, 41 percent Good and 4 percent Excellent. Stored feed
supplies were rated 9 percent very short, 18 percent short, 72 percent
adequate, and 1 percent surplus. The next available report will be
Thursday, June 25, 2020. All prices reported are FOB at the stack or
barn unless otherwise noted. Prices reflect load lots of hay. If you
have hay for sale or need hay, use the services of the Colorado
Department of Agriculture website: www.coloradoagriculture.com.
Northeast Colorado Areas
Alfalfa
Large Squares: Fair 130.00, Contract, DEL.
Alfalfa/Grass
Mid Squares: Premium 240.00, Retail/Stable.
Small Squares: Premium 250.00-307.50 (7.50-10.00), Retail/Stable.
Timothy/Brome Grass
Mid Squares: Premium 235.00, Retail/Stable.
Small Squares: Premium 250.00 (7.50 per bale), Retail/Stable.
Grass
Small Squares: Premium 335.00 (10.00 per bale), Retail/Stable.
No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.
Southeast Colorado Areas
Alfalfa
Large Squares: Good/Premium 150.00, Rain Damaged.
Small Squares: Premium 265.00-290.00 (8.00 per bale), Retail/Stable.
Triticale
Large Squares: Premium 125.00, DEL.
No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.
San Luis Valley Areas
Alfalfa
Large Squares: Premium/Supreme 150.00-155.00.
No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.
Southwest Colorado Areas
3-Way Forage Grass Mix
Small Squares: Premium 300.00-365.00 (9.00-11.00 per bale), Certified
Weed Free.
No reported quotes from all other classes of hay.
Mountains and Northwest Colorado Areas
Grass
Mid Squares: Premium 180.00.
Good 150.00.
Small Squares: Premium 270.00 (7.00 per bale), Retail/Stable.
No reported quotes for all other classes of hay.
Northeast: Weld, Washington, Morgan, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Lincoln, Elbert,
Adams, Sedgwick, Yuma, Larimer, Jefferson, Douglas, Kit Carson, Phillips,
Logan, Boulder, Arapahoe, and El Paso.
Southeast: Fremont, Custer, Huerfano, Las Animas, Bent, Otero, Prowers,
Crowley, and Pueblo.
San Luis Valley: Saguache, Alamosa, Costilla, Conejos, Rio Grande, and
Mineral.
Southwest: Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Montezuma, Dolores,
San Juan, Hinsdale, Archuleta, and La Plata.
Mountains and Northwest: Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Rio Blanco, Garfield,
Gunnison, Teller, Grand, Chaffee, Park, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Summit,
Lake, and Eagle.
Contracts are not indicative to other regions of the state and do not
pertain to the cash market. The term "Season" Means that as long as the
hay meets the contract requirements the buyer takes delivery on every
cutting in that particular year. All contracts are marketed on a per ton
basis. Prices figured on a per ton basis or a per point basis (.xx times
the RFV).
* - When priced on a per point basis.
* - NEL basis for corn silage
Haylage is based on 88 percent dry matter. Haylage formula most often
used (Haylage wet ton x percent dry matter/88 percent = 12 percent baled
hay). Haylage to be cut on an approximate 28 to 32 day cutting rotation.
Quoted standing in the field.
Corn Silage 30-32 percent dry matter. Based at .70 to .72 net energy
for lactation (NEL). Silage can be quoted standing in the field or
delivered to the pit. ** All information is a basis for every contract
and applies unless otherwise stated**
Alfalfa guidelines (domestic livestock use and not more than 10 pct
grass)
Quality ADF NDF RFV TDN-100 pct TDN-90 pct 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 WI/MN formula. TDN calculated using the
western formula. Quantitative factors are approximate and many factors
can affect feeding value. Values based on 100 percent dry matter.
Quantitative factors are approximate, and many factors can affect feeding
value. Values based on 100 percent dry matter. End usage may influence
hay price or value more than testing results.
Grass Hay guidelines
Quality Crude Protein Percent
Premium Over 13
Good 9-13
Fair 5-9
Utility Under 5
Source: USDA-CO Dept of Ag Market News Service, Greeley, CO
Heath Dewey, Market Reporter
970-353-9750 Greeley.LPGMN@ams.usda.gov
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