AM_GR310
Amarillo, TX Fri Nov 21, 2008 USDA-TX Dept of Ag Market News
Weekly Texas Hay Report
Compared to last week: Hay prices holding steady, in spite of many other
declining markets and slower movement in the hay market. Supply for Alfalfa
looks to be short, however some question how short it may really be, whether
there is still hay out there and producers are just holding onto it until after
the first of the year, or if there really is not much out there at all. Supply
on Coastal Bermuda in most areas is very short, however some areas in the North,
East and South along the coastline have had good fortune this growing season and
have moderate supply. Weather conditions around most of the state remain
extremely dry, so dry in fact that some counties are considering placing burn
bans in effect. While most of the state lacks moisture, the worst counties are
located in the Central and South Central parts of Texas. This is also causing
concerns for grazing conditions this winter, which will force supplemental
feeding to increase. 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 230.00-250.00,
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 200.00-260.00; Good to
Premium quality 175.00-200.00.
Chopped Alfalfa: Delivered to feedlots: North: 190.00-200.00. South: 200.00-
215.00.
Coastal Bermuda: Small squares: Delivered: 7.00-7.50 per bale. Large rounds:
Delivered: Premium quality: 140.00, 85.00 per roll; Good quality 125.00-135.00;
65.00 per roll.
Prairie Hay: Small squares: Delivered: 175.00-190.00; 7.00 per bale. Large
squares: Delivered: 140.00-160.000. Large rounds: Delivered: 85.00 per roll.
West Texas:
Alfalfa: Small Squares: FOB: Premium to Supreme quality 230.00-280.00, 7.50-
10.00 per bale, instances up to 12.00 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 250.00-300.00,
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 230.00-260.00; Good to Premium quality 180.00-230.00.
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: 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 50.00-70.00; Poor quality 30.00-
40.00 per roll.
Detailed Quotations - Texas
Alfalfa Panhandle West N.C./East South
Small squares
Supreme/Del 230.00-250.00 250.00-300.00
Premium/Del 230.00-250.00 250.00-300.00
Good/Del 200.00-230.00
Supreme/FOB 230.00-280.00
Premium/FOB 230.00-280.00
Good/FOB 200.00-230.00
Large squares
Supreme/Del 200.00-260.00 220.00-260.00 230.00-260.00
Premium/Del 200.00-260.00 200.00-220.00 230.00-260.00
Good/Del 175.00-200.00 160.00-200.00 180.00-230.00
Fair/Del
Supreme/FOB
Premium/FOB
Good/FOB
Large rounds
Premium/Del
Good/Del
Chopped/Del 190.00-240.00
Grass Hay
Small squares
Premium/Del
Good/Del
Fair/Del
Premium/FOB
Good/FOB
Large squares
Good/Del
Large rounds
Good/Del 140.00
Good/FOB 125.00-135.00
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
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