USDA Montana Hay                                   07/11 10:20
AMS_2769
 
Montana Direct Hay Report

                               Released on July 11, 2025
 
Direct Hay Weighted Average Report for week ending 07/11/2025
 
                                      VOLUME
                    This Week         Last Reported         Last Year
                                       (06/16/2025)
Tons:
      Hay           3625                6325                2196                
      Straw                                                 40                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total         3625                6325                2236                
======================================================================

Compared to last report(6-20-25): Hay sold mostly steady to firm on good 
to very good demand.
The strongest demand was seen from Northern Montana, as buyers were very 
active in purchasing hay again.
Most of the hay sold was purchased delivered for 195.00-210.00.
New crop prices continue to establish themselves and some variation in 
price was seen this secession.
Ranchers remain aggressive has they show concerns over the quantity of 
hay available.
Northern Ranchers, which normally put up much of their own hay, were 
forced to buy a portion of their winter hay this year as both drought 
conditions and limited irrigation water hindered production.
With more cows and heifers retained this year ranchers will have more 
mouths to feed compared to last winter.
Producers in Southern and Eastern Montana are wrapping up first cutting, 
with some starting 2nd.
Central Montana is in the midst of first.
Many producers along the highline are trying to get 2nd cutting irrigated 
before they cut off irrigation water for the year.
Market activity was mostly moderate this week.
All hay within the report below is new crop hay unless otherwise noted.
According to the drought monitor 62.48% of the state is in Moderate drought 
or worse, up 3.53% from 3 weeks ago.
32.87% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, up 4.19% from 3 
weeks ago.
9.49% of he state is in Extreme drought or worse, up 8.74% from 3 weeks ago.
0%  of the state is in Expectational drought, unchanged from 3 weeks ago.
Notably, 75.15% of the state is abnormally dry, up 1.37% from 3 weeks ago.

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Hay Conventional
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Alfalfa Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       75        135.0   135    F.O.B.     Bleached            

Alfalfa Fair/Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            300       130.0   130    F.O.B.                         

Alfalfa Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            500       140.0   140    F.O.B.     Covered     Old Crop
 Large Round            600   150.0-160.0 155    F.O.B.                         
 Large Square 3x4       100       160.0   160    F.O.B.                         
 Large Square 3x4       1500      140.0   140    F.O.B.     Covered     Old Crop

Alfalfa/Grass Mix Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            300       95.0    95     F.O.B.                 Old Crop

Alfalfa/Grass Mix Fair/Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            250       125.0   125    F.O.B.