AM_GR310
Amarillo, TX Fri Jul 23 2010 USDA-TX Dept of Ag Market News

Weekly Texas Hay Report

Compared to last week: Hay prices generally steady to weak. Trade slow to
moderate and demand light to moderate this week. Weather was mostly hot and
humid for a majority of the state. Rain was scarce for most areas, with the
occasional isolated rain shower for some parts. Hay yields reported as good,
but a lot of alfalfa was lost due to wet conditions. Corn is starting to
tassel and harvest began in the South. Armyworms and grasshoppers continue to
be a problem. Weeds are emerging as a result from all of the moisture.
Pesticide application has been delayed in areas due to wet weather. Rangeland
and pastures were mostly good to excellent. Livestock are in good to
excellent condition and are requiring minimal supplemental feeding. Reports
of increased fly and mosquito populations also recorded. Prices for hay and
pellets quoted per ton except where noted.

The state of Texas Department of Agriculture has the Hay and Grazing Hot Line
set up for buyers and sellers; the number is 1-877-429-1998. The web site for
TDA is www.tda.state.tx.us.

Panhandle:
Alfalfa: Small squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme quality 230.00-
265.00, 7.00-8.00 per bale; Good to Premium quality 200.00-230.00, 6.00-7.00
per bale.
Large squares: Delivered: Supreme quality 170.00-175.00; Premium to Supreme
quality 150.00-170.00; Good to Premium quality 135.00-150.00; Good quality
125.00-135.00; Fair to Good quality 110.00-125.00; Fair quality 90.00-100.00.
Organic Alfalfa: Delivered: Large Bales: Premium quality 210.00.
Chopped Alfalfa: Delivered to feedlots: North: 125.00-130.00. South:
130.00-135.00, instances calf hay 140.00-145.00; Supreme quality baby calf
175.00.
Prairie Grass: Delivered: Large squares: 130.00-135.00; few sales 53.00-
55.00 per roll.
Wheat Hay: Delivered: Large rounds: 105.00-110.00.
Oat Hay: Delivered: Large squares: 135.00.
Sorghum Hay: Delivered: Large rounds: 88.00.

West Texas:
Alfalfa: Small squares: FOB: Good to Premium quality 170.00-180.00; few
sales 7.00-7.25 per bale. Large squares: FOB: Good to Premium quality 140.00-
150.00; Good quality 120.00-140.00; Fair to good quality 110.00-120.00; Fair
quality 95.00-100.00. Small squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme quality
230.00-265.000, 7.00-8.00 per bale; Good to Premium quality 200.00-230.00,
6.00-7.00 per bale. Large squares: Delivered: Supreme quality 170.00-175.00;
Premium to Supreme quality 150.00-170.00; Good to Premium quality 135.00-
150.00; Good quality 125.00-135.00; Fair to Good quality 110.00-125.00.

North, Central and East Texas:
Alfalfa: Small squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme quality 240.00-
300.00, 7.50-10.00 per bale; Good to Premium quality 200.00-240.00, 6.00-7.50
per bale. Large squares: Delivered: Supreme quality 170.00-180.00; Premium to
Supreme quality 150.00-170.00; Good to Premium quality 140.00-150.00; Good
quality 120.00-140.00; Fair to Good quality 110.00-120.00.
Coastal Bermuda: Small squares: FOB: Good to Premium quality 6.00-8.00 per
bale; Fair to Good quality 4.00-6.00 per bale. Large rounds: FOB: Good to
Premium quality 60.00-70.00 per roll, instance 75.00 per roll; Good quality
50.00-60.00 per roll; Fair quality 40.00-50.00 per roll.
Tifton 85: Small squares: FOB: Good to Premium quality 6.00-8.00 per bale.
Large rounds: FOB: Good to Premium quality 60.00 per roll. Mid-size squares
70.00-75.00 per bale.

South Texas:
Coastal Bermuda: Small squares: FOB: Good to Premium quality 6.00-7.50 per
bale; Fair quality 4.00-6.00 per bale. Large rounds: FOB: Good to Premium
quality 50.00-70.00 per roll; Fair to Good quality 40.00-50.00 per roll.

Table 1: Alfalfa guidelines (for domestic livestock use and not more than 10%
grass)
Quality ADF NDF *RFV **TDN-100% **TDN-90% 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 Wis/Minn formula.
**TDN calculated using the western formula. Quantitative factors are
approximate, and many factors can affect feeding value. Values based on 100%
dry matter (TDN showing both 100% & 90%). Guidelines are to be used with
visual appearance and intent of sale (usage).

Table 2: Grass Hay guidelines
Quality Crude Protein Percent
Premium Over 13
Good 9-13
Fair 5-9
Utility Under 5

Quantitative factors are approximate, and many factors can affect feeding
value.
Values based on 100% dry matter. End usage may influence hay price or value
more than testing results.

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.

Source: USDA-Texas Dept of Ag Market News, Amarillo, TX
806/372-6361 - email: amarillo.lgmn@usda.gov
www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/am_gr310.txt

0930c an ktg

.