Source: USDA Market News
Compared to last week, hay trades were mostly steady to firm on good demand and trading activity. Hay demand is continuing to increase as colder temperatures continue to move across the state. Supplemental winter feeding is taking place in most regions.
The Texas Department of Agriculture has a Hay Hotline set up for buyers and sellers looking for hay or grazing; the number is 1-512-787-9966.
Panhandle/High Plains
– Alfalfa: Large Squares: Delivered: Supreme: 275.00-300.00; Premium: 230.00-260.00; Good: 175.00-190.00.
-Small bales: Delivered: Premium: 260.00-275.00, 8.00-9.00 per bale.
-Ground Alfalfa: Delivered to feedlots: Avg 190.00-215.00. Calf 225.00-245.00. Coastal Bermuda: Large Bales: Delivered: Premium to Supreme: 140.00-160.00.
-Wheat: Large Bales: Delivered: Beardless 200.00-225.00. Bearded 115.00-130.00. Rained on 90.00-100.00. Wheat Straw: Large Bales: Delivered: 90.00-100.00. Sorghum: Large Bales: Delivered: Green 125.00-150.00; Brown 95.00- 115.00. CRP: Large Bales: Delivered: 85.00-95.00. Cotton Burrs: Delivered: 85.00-95.00.
Far West Texas/Trans Pecos
Alfalfa: Small Squares: Delivered local or FOB: Premium to Supreme: 290.00-330.00, 10.00-11.00 per bale. Large Squares: FOB: Premium to Supreme: 250.00-265.00.
North, Central, and East Texas
– Alfalfa: Large Squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme: 255.00- 270.00.
– Coastal Bermuda: Small Squares: FOB: Premium: 260.00-330.00, 8.00- 10.00 per bale; Good: 200.00-260.00, 6.00-10.00 per bale.
– Large Rounds: FOB: Good to Premium: 120.00-140.00, 60.00-70.00 per roll.
South Texas
– Coastal Bermuda: Small Squares: FOB: Good to Premium: 260.00- 330.00, 8.00-10.00 per bale; Fair to Good: 165.00-260.00, 5.00-8.00 per bale.
– Large Rounds: FOB and delivered locally: Good to Premium: 120.00- 160.00, 60-80.00 per roll; Fair or Grass Mix: 100.00-110.00, 50.00- 55.00 per roll.
Hay Quality Designation’s 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. Defects will be identified in market reports when using this category.