USDA Hay Report - Jan. 16, 2009

Market slows and prices weaken as drought conditions cause some sell-offs.

AMARILLO, TX, Jan. 16, 2009 -- Compared to last week: Hay prices generally steady to weak in a fairly slow moving trade this week. Most of the state continues dry with very short soil moisture and unseasonably warm and windy conditions. The only area with adequate moisture in the southeast part of the state. A lot of hay movement limited to previously contracted supplies.

Supplemental feeding of hay continues but some Producers are running out of water in drought areas as tanks and ponds dry-up. Ranchers have been forced to sell-off livestock or haul water. Wheat fields and other winter forages, ranges and fields in need of moisture.

The state of Texas Department of agriculture has the Hay and Grazing Hot Line set up for buyers and sellers, number is 1-877-429-1998. The web site for TDA is www.tda.state.tx.us. Prices for hay and pellets quoted per ton except where noted.


Panhandle:
Alfalfa: Small Squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme quality 230.00-280.00, 7.00-8.50 per bale; Good to Premium quality 200.00-230.00, 6.50-7.00 per bale. Large Squares: Delivered: Supreme to Premium quality 200.00-250.00; Good to Premium quality 175.00-200.00; Fair to Good quality 160.00-170.00.

Chopped Alfalfa: Delivered to feedlots: North: 185.00-200.00. South: 190.00-200.00, some calf hay 205.00-225.00.

Wheat Hay: Large rounds: Delivered: 120.00-125.00.

Oat Hay: Small squares: 235.00 delivered. Large Bales: Delivered: 165.00.

West Texas:
Alfalfa: Small Squares: FOB: Premium to Supreme quality 230.00-280.00, 7.50-10.00 per bale; Good to Premium quality 200.00-230.00; 7.00-7.50 per bale. Large Squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme quality 220.00-260.00; Good to Premium quality 190.00-230.00; Good quality 160.00-190.00.

North, Central and East Texas:
Alfalfa: Small Squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme quality 240.00-300.00, 7.00-10.00 per bale; Good to Premium quality 6.00-7.00 per bale. FOB: Good to Premium quality 5.00-7.00 per bale in the barn. Large Squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme quality 200.00-250.00; Good to Premium quality 180.00-200.00.

Coastal Bermuda: Small Squares: FOB: Premium quality 6.00-7.50 per bale; Fair to Good quality 5.00-6.00 per bale. Large rounds: FOB: Premium 70.00-80.00; Good quality 50.00-70.00; Fair quality 40.00-50.00 per roll.

South Texas:
Coastal Bermuda: Small squares: FOB or delivered locally: Good quality 5.00-7.50 per bale. Large rounds: FOB: Good quality 50.00-85.00; Poor quality 30.00-40.00 per roll.

See the complete report at http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/am_gr310.txt