September 14, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Cattle Complex Continues Downward Trend

Drought Monitor Update | Week Ending September 09, 2016

During the past week, areas east of the Continental Divide witnesses slightly above normal temperatures. Overall, the West was dry last week with the exception of areas of isolated precipitation in northwestern Washington, eastern Montana, and southeastern New Mexico. Dryness during the past 90 days led to expansion of areas of Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1) in southeastern and south-central Idaho. In northwestern Wyoming, an area of Severe Drought (D2) was expanded in the headwater region of the Snake River where baseflow has been well below normal.

montana-drought-monitor

Montana Weekly Auction Report | Week Ending September 09, 2016

Market: Billings Livestock Commission, MT

Market: Public Auction Yards – Cattle, MT

Receipts: 1,892    Last Week: 2,482    Last Year: 2,068

Compared to last week: Feeder cattle became more active as the week progressed with dramatically increased offers by the end of the week along with steady to stronger undertones. Demand for feeder cattle also staged a turnaround from last week and improved to moderate to sometimes good at the end of the week. Offerings became more available ranging light to moderate. Rain was noted in parts of the area in the early part of the week which may have hindered some offers while others noted a little earlier start in the fall run on younger cattle than normal. Feeder quality was mostly average. Weigh up conditions were also mostly average. Market activity this week was mostly slow to moderate with improvement not as the week progressed and ended above last week.

Demand on weigh up cows improved as the week progressed to moderate to instances good light to mostly moderate offerings. Slaughter cows were lightly tested with stronger undertones noted at the end of the week. Cow quality was mostly average. Offerings were in mostly small and single head packages. Feeder buyers buyers stepped up to the plate at the end of the week and actively sought cattle resulting in packer buyers causing to stand by the way side and pay at unchanged or higher prices depending on needs to be filled. At the end of the week demand from feeding buyers was moderate to good, the opposite of last week. Packer buyers at the end of the week, meanwhile, were a little more aggressive than last week in order to satisfy needs and were light to moderate ending the week in steady to slightly firmer undertones.

Slaughter bulls were generally average to below quality this week. Prices on slaughter bulls can’t be compared due to no market in Miles City this week, however, undertones were mostly lower. Offerings were moderate to heavy, mostly moderate. Quality this week on bulls was most average to below average. Offerings this week consisted of 69 percent feeder cattle, 11 percent slaughter cows, 10 percent slaughter bulls, 10 percent feeding cows and bulls and cows returning to the country, balance bred cows, heifers, and pairs.

Read more in USDA’s latest Montana Weekly Market Report.

NATIONAL FEEDER & STOCKER CATTLE SUMMARY – Week Ending September 09, 2016

Receipts: 114,800 (Auctions)   23,400 (Direct)   18,400 (Video/Internet) Total: 156,600

Last Week: 133,500 (Auctions) 42,700 (Direct)   174,000 (Video/Internet) Total: 350,200

Compared to last week, feeder steers and heifers sold mostly 2.00 to 6.00 lower and calves quoted mostly 6.00 to 15.00 lower. Over the last four weeks, the lower trend in the cattle complex has taken the air out of the sails of most everyone in the industry. The sell-off that has occurred this past month did put the October Live Cattle contracts in double digits for the first time on Tuesday. It appears to the casual chart observer that triple digit gains and/or losses happen every day as the industry is trying to gain a foothold and bring stability to the marketplace.

Even after the loss of a considerable amount of equity in the last six months, there are those who continue to be bullish as Wednesday in St Joseph, MO a half load of steers weighing 704 lbs sold for 153.10 and a half load of 802 lb steers sold at 150.50. Even though one feedyard bought them, there was another pushing to those lofty prices. Today in Burwell, NE a farmer-feeder bought a load of home raised 821 lb steers at 151.50. With the out-front fed cattle contracts hovering around the 104.00- 105.00 levels and December corn futures around 3.40 today, industry watchers were just wondering if those cattle could be backed up far enough to make a profit. Beef and hog packer margins currently are rather good right now as the cattle slaughter last week was reported at 610,000 head; the largest weekly slaughter since June 2014. As time goes on this fall, it is good that packers are making a healthy profit this go-around and critical for producers to continue to move cattle through the pipeline.

Steer dressed weights are 10 lb under a year ago and packers are doing their best to keep fed cattle weights in check by harvesting as many as they can. Early corn yield anecdotes are not as lofty as the latest forecast of 175.1 bpa and corn futures have gained around 15 cents this week. Boxed beef values continue to make new 2016 lows and are following the slide of the live cattle as Choice closed the week at 187.90, down 3.19 from last Friday’s close. Auction volume this week included 60 percent weighing over 600 lbs and 39 percent heifers.

Read more from the USDA’s latest National Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary.

Weekly Montana Hay Report | Week Ending September 09, 2016

Compared to last week: Alfalfa hay sold steady again this week. Demand for hay ranged light to good, mostly moderate with some finding buyers just starting to compare prices while others wait for 3rd cutting.  Offerings mostly moderate with a few reluctant to make 3rd cutting as they continue to watch the depressed cattle markets. Meanwhile, some buyers noted offerings from outside of the state at lower trending prices into feeders. Hay movement this week was light to moderate.

Inquiry continued to be noted from dairies for high relative feed content alfalfa, however no sales were reported.  Grass hay movement was moderate to good this week at mostly steady prices. High quality grass hay sold very well this week with horse feed buyers active participants. All prices are dollars per ton and FOB unless otherwise noted.

  • Alfalfa:
    • Supreme: Small Squares, 200.00
    • Good: Large Squares, 120.00-135.00; Large rounds, 125.00-135.00; Small Squares 150.00-180.00
    • Fair: Large Squares, 100.00-120.00; Large Rounds, 100.00-120.00
  • Grass/Alfalfa:
    • Premium: Large Rounds, 150.00; Small Squares 150.00-160.00
    • Good: Large Rounds, 120.00-140.00
    • Fair: Large Rounds, 115-120.00
  • Grass:
    • Premium: Large rounds, 120.00-140.00
    • Good: Large Squares, 110.00-120.00; Large Rounds, 110.00-120.00
    • Fair: Large Rounds, 100.00-105.00
  • Timothy Grass:
    • Premium: Small Squares, 210.00-210.00; Large Rounds, 120.00-125.00
    • Good: Large Rounds, 110.00-120.00
  • Barley Straw:
    • Large Squares, 35.00-40.00

Read more from the USDA’s latest Weekly Montana Hay Report.

September 26, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Cattle markets continue downward trend as Autumn volume increases

Drought Monitor Update September 24

Montana Drought Monitor September 24

Montana Drought Monitor Update, September 24, 2015. Click image to learn more.

Moderate to Extreme drought continues along and west of the Divide with no significant changes in recent weeks, except some decrease of abnormally dry areas in Eastern Montana. Long-term conditions remain dry heading into the Fall season.

Large sections of the nation experienced dry weather, reducing topsoil moisture but promoting summer crop maturation and harvesting. Above-normal temperatures dominated the Plains and upper Midwest, favoring fieldwork and helping to push summer crops toward maturity.

The overall trend toward drought persistence continued in our region, though pockets of beneficial rain were noted in the northern Rockies, Pacific Northwest, and lower Four Corners. The west was generally cooler than normal, easing stress on pastures, crops, and livestock. In the north, most of the region’s core Extreme Drought (D3) areas were dry. However, moderate to heavy rain on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula (2-4 inches, locally more) staved off D3 expansion. Farther east, 1 to 3 inches of rain eased drought intensity and coverage over central and southern Idaho, though northern portions of the state remained dry.

View the most current Montana conditions from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Montana Weekly Auction Report – September 25

Market: Billings Livestock, Public Auction Yards, Miles City

Receipts: 4,574; Last Week 3,767; Last Year NA

Compared to last report: Spring born feeder steers and heifers sold sharply lower this week with most sales 15.00-20.00 lower and instances of 30.00 lower on lightweight calves. Yearling feeder steers sold mostly 10.00 lower in a narrow comparison. Yearling heifers under 900 lbs sold 10.00-15.00 lower while heifers over 900 lbs sold weak to 5.00 lower with heavier weights selling with more demand than lighter weight offerings.

Quality this week was mostly average to attractive, with several very attractive sets of both yearlings and spring born calves. Flesh conditions were in buyers favor with many lightly fleshed feeders coming off grass. However, weigh up conditions were average at best this week; yearling cattle coming off grass were more likely to push excess fill than spring calves. Demand for feeder cattle was light to moderate on yearling offerings, while spring born calves saw light demand.

Slaughter cows sold mostly 5.00-6.00 lower and feeding cows sold lower as well on a notably poor quality offering this week. The best demand for cows this week was for young 2 year olds to young age cows suitable to enter a breeding program. These offerings sold fully steady on good demand. Slaughter bulls sold mostly 2.00 lower in a narrow comparison.

Read more in USDA’s latest Montana Weekly Market Report.

National Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary – September 25

Receipts This Week:  Total 250,600 – 177,700 (Auctions); 53,200 (Direct); 19,700 (Video/Internet)

Compared to last week: yearling feeder cattle sold mostly 5.00-10.00 lower, with instances 15.00 lower. Calves traded mostly 5.00-15.00 lower with some sales 20.00 lower throughout the Midwest and Southeast. Discounts are quickly becoming more severe on unweaned-fleshy types which complement the larger discounts on price trends on calves.

The calf market pressure is typical of autumn’s arrival with increase headcounts of new crop bawlers and the onset of warm days and cool nights. Pre-condition yard sickpens are starting to fill as the combination of separation anxiety and shipping fever takes its toll on new purchases.

Cattle futures and cash prices continued their free-fall from last week with no-way of applying the brakes to stop the bleeding. Heavy liquidation selling took place again this week in the cattle futures with limit losses on Wednesday. Futures continued in their flush out mode on Thursday closing again with sharp triple-digit losses, but then traded limit higher to close on Friday; perhaps to give some hard to come by hope for next week. Any justification for high priced feeders has worn out its welcome, as losses keep mounting for cattle feeders and the near term outlook still looking bleak. This has the feeder cattle market accelerating to the downside as feeder cattle prices now stand as excessively overpriced.

Last week’s Cattle on Feed Report did have somewhat positive news in smaller placements than expected, but lower placements are not providing any help to the fed cattle or feeder cattle market. Market psychology and beef demand definitely need a reversal along with cleaning up heavy fed cattle coming to market.

Auction volume included 49% weighing over 600 lbs and 40% heifers.

Read more from the USDA’s latest National Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary.

Weekly Montana Hay Report – September 25

Compared to last week: Alfalfa was generally steady this week on moderate demand and light to moderate movement. Perfect weather conditions have helped producers across the west-central portion of the state put up excellent quality 3rd cutting. With third cutting still going up very few sales have taken place, however limited sales have moved at around 1.00 per RFV point. Grass hay experienced moderate movement this week with sales steady to weak. Hay for export continues to move at the bottom end of the range.

  • Alfalfa:
    • Supreme: Small Squares, 200.00-225.00
    • Premium: Large Squares, 180.00
    • Good: Large Squares, 150.00-170.00
    • Fair: Large Squares, 110.00-140.00; Large Rounds, 120.00
  • Grass:
    • Alfalfa Mix Premium: Large Squares: 170.00; Good Large Rounds, 125.00-140.00
    • Good: Large Squares, 135.00; Large Rounds, 115.00-120.00
    • Fair: Large Rounds, 100.00
  • Timothy Grass:
    • Premium: Small Squares, 180.00-225.00
    • Good: Large Rounds, 120.00; Small Squares, 150.00
  • Barley Straw:
    • Large Squares, 40.00-55.00

Read more from the USDA’s latest Weekly Montana Hay Report.

August 1, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Rain Brings Slight Drought Relief, Hay Prices Hold Firm

Drought Monitor Update July 30

Montana Drought Monitor Update, July 30, 2015. Click image to learn more.

Frontal rains and leftover moisture from Hurricane Dolores brought above-normal precipitation to parts of California, Nevada, Montana, and the Pacific Northwest this week. The heavier rainfall amounts ranged from half an inch to 2 inches, with less than half an inch common. This is the dry season for the Far West, so even minor amounts of rain equate to well above normal.

A frontal low near the end of the week gave parts of Montana 3+ inches of rain, resulting in contraction of D0-D2 east of the Rockies. The lack of mountain snowpack has contributed to record and near-record low streamflows across much of the Pacific Northwest, with tinder-dry conditions resulting in the closing of the forests in northern Idaho.

Pasture and range conditions were rated poor to very poor across 47% of Oregon, 41% of Washington, and 14% of Idaho, which were slight increases compared to the previous week. Crop harvesting continued, and while most crops were in fair to good condition across the region, 32% of the winter wheat crop in Oregon was rated in poor to very poor condition.

View the most current Montana conditions from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Montana Direct Feeder Cattle Report for Week Ending July 31

Market: Billings Livestock, Public Auction Yards

Receipts: 1,225; Last Week 0; Last Year 550

Compared to last week: Downward pressure put on the feeder market due to a lack of support from Live Cattle contracts has limited demand for calves and feeders. Supply consisted of 100 percent over 600 lbs and 16 percent heifers. Steers – 925 lbs. @ $204.90 Current FOB. Heifers – 535 lbs. @ $233.00 October FOB

Read more from USDA’s latest Montana Feeders Cattle Report.

National Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary – July 31

Receipts This Week:  Total 144,500 – 106,100 (Auctions); 36,900 (Direct); 1,500 (Video/Internet)

Compared to last week: lower prices continued in the feeder cattle markets as feeder cattle and calves traded mostly 5.00-10.00 lower. Auction receipts were mostly light this week due to the hot temperatures and high humidity causing high heat index levels of near and over 110 degrees in areas across the Midwest and Southern Plains. Receipts for the most part continue to be dominated by yearling cattle over 700 lbs which is where the best demand exists at this time. Demand remains moderate to good with best demand in the Northern Plains for yearlings.

Last week and into Monday of this week Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle contracts took a pounding as long term bulls were nowhere to be found. The cattle complex did finally pull off a positive day of trading on Tuesday with triple-digit gains that extended with modest gains into Wednesday. But, the sometimes upside potential has no sense of urgency to rally much higher anytime soon. Pretty much everybody in the industry knows expansion is well underway, but it will be over a year before many of the heifers retained will calve.

A strong US dollar and weaker export demand from the Pacific Rim countries especially Hong Kong and Japan have beef exports struggling; also beef exports to Mexico have been laboring as well. Competing meat prices are strikingly lower than year ago levels as pork prices hit their all-time highs last summer during the PEDv outbreak and chicken prices were also stronger last year. Corn crop is now rated 70% good to excellent up 1% from last week, with 78% in the silking stage. Corn prices have moved lower this week as favorable weather is in the forecast for the next week.

Read more from the USDA’s latest National Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary.

Weekly Montana Hay Report – July 31

Compared to last week: Alfalfa was steady to firm this week on increased demand across the state. Interest for all hay continues to increase as drought conditions continue across eastern and western Montana, as well as, along the highline. Hay marketed locally was steady this week, while hay to ship to dry locations pushed prices higher. Demand for alfalfa is mostly moderate and moderate to good in some drier locations.

Grass hay held steady after many farmers raised prices last week. Many parts of the state are in the middle of cutting second cutting. Drought conditions eased some this week with 35.69% of the state in Moderate to Extreme drought as of Thursday’s report. That’s a 6.62% decline from last week after spotty, light rain showers fell across the state.

  • Alfalfa:
    • Supreme: Small Squares, 200.00-210.00
    • Good: Large Squares, 150.00-200.00; Large Rounds, 150.00-160.00
    • Fair: Large Squares, 115.00-140.00
  • Grass:
    • Good: Large Rounds, 100.00
    • Large Squares, 100.00-120.00
  • Timothy Grass:
    • Premium: Small Squares, 210.00.
    • Good: Large Round, 120.00

Read more from the USDA’s latest Weekly Montana Hay Report.

May 30, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Limited Cattle Offerings in Holiday Week – Montana Markets Week Ending May 30

Montana Weekly Auction Summary for Week Ending May 30, 2015

Market: Billings Livestock Commission, Miles City, Public Auction Yards

Receipts: 4,247; Last Week 2,606; Last Year NA

Compared to last week: Feeder cattle were all too lightly tested last week for an accurate market trend, however higher undertones abounded. Feeder cattle were of average to attractive quality this week, with a few consignments of very attractive cattle. Demand for feeder cattle this week was good to very good at times.

CME futures contract prices have gained every day since last Thursday. Starting Tuesday August contracts gained 5.35 to close at 224.95 and September gained 4.725 to close at 223.25 as of Thursday nights close. The 7 day running average CME feeder cattle index closed at 222.45 as of Wednesday’s sales (the latest available settlement). The CME index has trended higher all week as CME futures prices give support to buyers bidding in sale rings across the 12 state region.

Limited offerings of feeder cattle in recent weeks have buyers worried of the volume of cattle left in the country side and many bid accordingly pushing all feeders higher this week. Of note, some buyers this week were particularly aggressive in purchasing 600-750 lbs heifers and in many cases were willing to pay replacement price or even above replacement price in order to fill feedlot orders.

Weigh-up cows sold with good to very good demand this week on mostly moderate offerings. Slaughter cows sold generally steady to firm on all classes offered this week. Feeding cows sold mostly firm. Weight-up cows are seeing demand from slaughter, replacement, and feeding cow buyers which has yet again pushed all cow prices higher. Packer buyers continue to buy cows to put on feed again this week as many are hoping to help curb shorted summer supplies.

Young aged 2-3 year olds sold sharply higher with many buyers looking for replacement cows to both ship to the southern plains as well as rebreed and fill local pastures. With heavy rainfall at times this week many buyers were very aggressive in bidding as pasture and range conditions are in great shape in and around the Yellowstone river valley. Cow/calf pairs saw much of the same strong demand as many local ranchers were in the stands this week actively bidding. Middle age (solid mouth) and aged (broken mouth) cows sold on the best demand again this week with ranchers searching for short keep cows to run on grass this summer.

Read more from USDA’s May 29 Montana Weekly Auction Summary.

National Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary – Week Ending May 29, 2015

Receipts This Week: 162,400 Total – 104,000 (Auctions); 36,700 (Direct); 21,700 (Video/Internet)

Compared to last week, a light holiday test of yearlings and calves sold fully steady to 5.00 higher. The official start to the summer grilling season was followed by continued good demand for all classes and in many cases no signs of top-side pressure. Many major early–week auctions were idle this week, but buyers picked up where they left off at mid-week sales, as demand remains very good for calves and yearlings. Calve markets continue to trade on limited supplies with enough localized demand to offset supplies. The best advance continues to be on the heavier yearlings over 800 lbs as demand remains very good on yearlings.

  • Auction Receipts: 104,000 Last Week: 168,000 Last Year: 111,800
    • Montana 4,200. 78 pct over 600 lbs. 54 pct heifers.

Read more from the USDA’s May 29 National Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary.

 

Weekly Montana Hay Report – May 29, 2015

Compared to last week:  No changes were seen this week as farmers continue to wait on first cutting. No new contracts have yet to been seen for western dairy hay. Demand for Alfalfa hay is light on very light supplies. Many parts of central Montana received between 1.0 to 3.0 inches of additional rain this week which helped improve both pasture and range conditions as well as hay crop conditions.

Many ranchers in the Central and Eastern parts of the state have turned cattle out for the summer which has further lightened demand for grass hay. Ranchers buying hay to stock has slowed to a near halt with rain curbing drought concerns. Light demand was seen for grass hay marketed within the state, however steady prices continue to move light supplies. Good demand was seen for hay to ship to other areas of the country, particularly drier regions, both east and west.

  • Alfalfa
    • Supreme: Small squares, 200.00
    • Premium: Large squares, 150.00-155.00
    • Good: Large squares, 120.00
    • Small squares, 138.00-150.00
    • Fair: Large squares, 90.00-130.00
  • Grass:
    • Good: Large Rounds, 90.00-100.00;
    • New crop contract, 110.00-120.00; Large Squares, 100.00
  • Timothy Grass:
    • Premium: Small Squares, 240.00.
    • Good: Small Squares, 160.00-180.00.
  • Straw:
    • Large Squares and Rounds, 35.00-40.00.

Read more from the USDA’s May 29 Weekly Montana Hay Report.

May 23, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Cattle on Feed Up 1 Percent, USDA Montana Reports Week Ending May 23

United States Cattle on Feed Up 1 Percent

Click image to view larger version.

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Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.6 million head on May 1, 2015. The inventory was 1 percent above May 1, 2014.

Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.55 million, 5 percent below 2014. Net placements were 1.48 million head.

During April, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 320,000, 600-699 pounds were 240,000, 700-799 pounds were 348,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 640,000.

Click image to view larger version.

Click image to view larger version.

Marketings of fed cattle during April totaled 1.64 million, 8 percent below 2014. April marketings are the lowest since the series began in 1996.

Other disappearance totaled 66,000 during April, 20 percent below 2014

Read more from the USDA’s May 22 Cattle on Feed report.

 

 

Montana Weekly Auction Summary for the week ending May 23, 2015

Market: Billings Livestock Commission, Miles City, Public Auction Yards

Receipts: 2,606; Last Week 5,452; Last Year 2,671

Compared to last week: Feeder cattle were all too lightly tested this week for an accurate market trend. Feeder cattle were of mostly plain and average quality this week, with a few small packages of attractive cattle scattered throughout the sales. Demand for feeder cattle continues to be moderate to good, however demand for high quality feeders is good to very good on very light offerings.

Weigh-up cows sold with good to very good demand this week on mostly moderate offerings. Slaughter cows sold 1.00-2.00 higher on all classes of slaughtercows offered this week. Packer buyers continue to have to fight for offerings as buyers looking forcows to feed and breed push prices higher yet again this week. Quality this week was overall very good which gave buyers even more reason to fight over offerings.

Buyers searching for breeding stock purchased young aged cows on moderate to good demand this week. Young aged 2-3 year olds sold mostly higher with increased interest from all buyers. Feeding cows sold higher this week as well. Cow/calf pairs continue to be offered across the state. Most offerings sold with very good demand. Aged broken mouth cows sold on the best demand this week with many ranchers searching for short keep cows to run on grass this summer.

Read more from USDA’s May 23 Montana Weekly Auction Summary.

National Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary – Week Ending May 22, 2015

Feeders this week total – 204,700; Included Auctions-168,000; Direct-29,900; Video/Internet-6,800.

Compared to last week, yearlings sold fully steady to 3.00 higher with instances 5.00 higher as advance continues to be on heavy yearlings over 800 lbs.  Demand remains very good on yearlings as the draw of steady fed cattle prices on light trade Wednesday in Kansas at 161.00 continues to bring additional interest back to feeder cattle.

Steer and heifer calves traded steady to instances 5.00 higher where tested (mostly throughout the Midwest).Production areas farther north and west simply don’t do enough fall calving to test the market this time of the year, and the old crop calves are long gone.

Friday’s Cattle on Feed Report had May 1 inventory at 101 percent; placements at 95 percent and marketings at 92 percent.  Inventory was close to expectations, with placements significantly smaller than expected and marketings close to expectations.  Corn and soybean planting have had one of the nicest planting starts in several seasons, as corn planting is now 85 percent complete ahead of the 5-year average of 75 percent. Soybeans are 45 percent planted ahead of the 5-year average of 36 percent.

Auction Receipts:  168,000   Last Week:  147,500   Last Year:  172,200

  • Montana 2,600.  89% over 600 lbs.  40% heifers.
    • Steers:  Medium and Large 1  700-750 lbs (736) 238.20; 750-800 lbs (778) 228.90.
    • Heifers:  Medium and Large 1  600-650 lbs (625) 236.91; 700-750 lbs (721) 216.21.
  • Video Internet Receipts:  6,800    Last Week:  29,600   Last Year:  38,000; (86% over 600 lbs, 20% heifers)
  • Western Video Market: 5,900.  86% over 600 lbs.  23% heifers.
    • Northcentral Region (CO-WY-NE-MT-ND-SD-IA)  Steers:  Medium and Large 1 Sep few loads 425 lbs 350.00.

Read more from the USDA’s May 22 National Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary.

Weekly Montana Hay Report

Compared to last week:  Very little change was seen in the hay market this week as farmers just wait on the new crop to come in. What little bit of hay moved was moved at steady money. Western dairies still have no new contract prices. Demand for Alfalfa hay is light on very light supplies.

Many parts of central Montana received between 1.5 to 3.0 inches of much needed rain last weekend, which was a welcomed sight for all hay farmers. This rain did help curb the worry of an all-out drought, as well as, curb some demand for ranchers buying hay to stock up in case of a drought.

In western Montana hay continues to be sold to cover needs until cows can be turned out. Central Montana range conditions improved drastically with the recent rainfall and many ranchers are busy turning out cows.

Additionally, new crop hay contracts continue to filter in with slightly lower prices since the last rain. Light demand was seen for grass hay marketed within the state. Good demand continues to be seen for hay to ship to other areas of the country.

  • Alfalfa:   Supreme:  Small squares, 200.00
    • Premium:  Large squares, 150.00-155.00
    • Good:     Large squares, 120.00
    • Small squares, 138.00-150.00
    • Fair:     Large squares, 90.00-130.00
  • Grass:  Good:  Large Rounds, 90.00-100.00; New crop contract, 110.00-120.00; Large Squares, 100.00
  • Timothy Grass:  Premium:  Small Squares, 240.00.  Good:  Small Squares,160.00-180.00.
  • Straw:  Large Squares and Rounds, 35.00-40.00.

Read more from the USDA’s May 22 Weekly Montana Hay Report.