GL_GR310  
Greeley, CO    Thu Feb 12, 2009    USDA-CO Dept of Ag Market News

Colorado Hay Report

   Compared to last week:  Upper end dairy hay trade continues to be 
stagnant, with the majority of movement being off of previously made 
contracts.  Southern mountain areas seem to be experiencing a softening in 
price.  As dairies face record low milk prices, demand has decreased.  
Grinder quality alfalfa remains steady.  Grass hay steady to firm, with horse 
hay qualities showing greatest interest.  Demand moderate for alfalfa 
qualities, good for all other classes.  If you have hay for sale or need hay, 
use the services of the Colorado Hay and Forage Association website: 
http://www.coloradohay.org/.  
   State wide snow pack figures change little with some areas of the southern 
mountains receiving snowfall.  The state average was 114 percent.  
Yampa and White 110 percent, Colorado 117 percent, North Platte 103 percent, 
South Platte 100 percent, Arkansas 124 percent, Upper Rio Grande 125 percent, 
Gunnison 112 percent, and (San Miguel, Dolores, Animas, San Juan) 120 
percent.  
   Quoted prices are dollars per ton and FOB stack unless otherwise noted.  
FOB relates to prices of hay at the edge of field or at the stack.  Delivered 
prices relate to final cost of hay delivered to user including freight to the 
dairy, feedlot, broker, auction, or ranch.  Delivered prices include all 
transportation and handling fees, which vary based on distance of haul and 
other factors.  Ground and delivered prices include cost of processing as 
well as delivery to the feedlot or Dairy.  Prices are from the most recent 
sales.  

Northeast Colorado Areas 
   Alfalfa:  Supreme: Large Squares 190.00-200.00 Del.  Premium: Large 
Squares 160.00-180.00 Del; Small Squares 250.00-275.00 (8.00-9.00 per bale).  
Good: Large Squares 150.00-160.00 Del; Small Squares 185.00-200.00 (6.50-7.00 
per bale).  Fair: Large Squares 127.00 Del.  Utility to Fair: Large Squares 
110-115 Del.  Utility: Large Squares 100.00-110.00 Del.  
   Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Premium: Small Squares 250.00-275.00 (7.50-9.50 per 
bale).
   Grass: Premium: Large Squares 160.00-170.00; Small Squares 250.00-290.00 
(8.00 per bale).  Good: Large Squares 130.00.  
   Haylage:  135.00 Del.  
   Straw:  70.00, 75.00-80.00 Del.
   Oat Hay: Large Squares 115.00-125.00.  
   Cornstalks: 65.00 Del.   
   Millet: 100.00.  

Southeast Colorado Areas 
   Alfalfa:  Premium to Supreme: Large Squares 190.00-200.00.  Premium 
185.00-190.00.  Good: Large Squares 160.00-175.00; Small Squares 170.00 
(5.50-6.00 per bale).  Fair: Large Squares 165.00.  Utility: Large Squares 
120.00-130.00, 140.00-150.00 Del.  Ground and Delivered 195.00.  
   Grass:  Premium: Small Squares 200.00 (5.50-6.00 per bale).  
   Straw:  Large Squares 60.00, 70.00 Del.  
   Oat Hay: Large Squares 125.00 Del.  
   Sorghum: Large Squares 100.00.  
   Haygrazer: Large Squares 100.00.  
   Cornstalks: 55.00-65.00.  

San Luis Valley Area 
   Alfalfa:  Supreme: Large Squares 180.00-190.00.  Premium: Large Squares 
170.00-180.00.  Good: Large Squares 160.00-170.00; Fair: Large Squares 
150.00-160.00.  
   Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Premium: Large Squares 175.00-180.00.  Good: Large 
Squares 150.00-165.00; Small Squares 175.00-187.00 (6.50-7.00 per bale).  
   Grass:  Premium: Large Squares 165.00, Horse Hay 180.00; Good: Large 
Squares 135.00.  
   Oat Hay:  Large Squares 125.00; Small Squares 135.00 (3.75 per bale).  
   Straw:  Large Squares 50.00.  

Southwest Colorado Areas 
   Alfalfa:  Supreme: Large Squares 200.00; Small Squares 255.00-290.00 (8.00 
per bale).  Premium: Large Squares 180.00-190.00; Small Squares 290.00 (8.00 
per bale).  Good: Large Squares 170.00-185.00; Small Squares 215.00-220.00.  
Fair to Good: Large Squares 140.00-150.00; Utility: Large Squares 120.00.  
   Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Premium: Large Squares 165.00; Round Bales 230.00.  
   Grass:  Premium: Small Squares 230.00-260.00 (7.00-8.50 per bale).  Good: 
Small Squares 210.00 (5.00-6.00 per bale).  
   Straw:  Certified 160.00 (4.00 per bale).  

Mountains and Northwest Colorado Areas 
   Grass:  Premium: Large Squares 150.00-160.00; Small Squares 200.00-240.00 
(6.00-6.50 per bale) Round Bales 140.00-150.00.  Good: Large Squares 130.00-
140.00; Small Squares 165.00-200.00 (5.00-5.75 per bale); Round Bales 125.00.  
Fair: Large Squares 120.00-130.00; Small Squares 150.00-175.00 (4.25-4.50 per 
bale).  Utility: Large Squares 100.00-105.00; Round Bales 90.00-110.00.  

Contracted Hay, Haylage, and Corn Silage
   Northeast Colorado Areas
   FOB/Del    Total Price      Tons      Hay Type    Bale Size   RFV/DM/NEL
   Del       130.00-135.00     6500      Alfalfa       4x4x8      Grinder
   Del       133.00-135.00     4750      Alfalfa       4x4x8      Grinder
   Del          135.00         1000      Alfalfa       4x4x8      Grinder

Contracted Hay, Haylage, and Corn Silage
   Southeast Colorado Areas
   FOB/Del    Total Price      Tons      Hay Type    Bale Size    RFV/DM/NEL
   FOB          150.00         4000      Alfalfa NC  3x4x8        Grinder

   Contracts are not indicative to other regions of the state and do not 
pertain to the cash market.  The term "Season" Means that as long as the hay 
meets the contract requirements the buyer takes delivery on every cutting in 
that particular year.  All contracts are marketed on a per ton basis.  Prices 
figured on a per ton basis or a per point basis (.xx times the RFV).  
   * - When priced on a per point basis.
   * - NEL basis for corn silage

   Haylage is based on 88 percent dry matter.  Haylage formula most often 
used (Haylage wet ton x percent dry matter/88 percent = 12 percent baled 
hay).  Haylage to be cut on an approximate 28 to 32 day cutting rotation.  
Quoted standing in the field.  

    Corn Silage 30-32 percent dry matter.  Based at .70 to .72 net energy for 
lactation (NEL).  Silage can be quoted standing in the field or delivered to 
the pit.  

** All information is a basis for every contract and applies unless otherwise 
stated**

Alfalfa  guidelines (domestic livestock use and not more than 10 pct grass)
Quality       ADF      NDF       RFV       TDN-100 pct   TDN-90 pct   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 WI/MN formula.  TDN calculated using the western 
formula.  Quantitative factors are approximate and many factors can affect 
feeding value.  Values based on 100 pct dry matter.

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

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

Source:  USDA-CO Dept of Ag Market News - Greeley, CO 
         Kinley Smotherman/Market Reporter  
         970-353-9750/Broadcast 970-353-8031
         http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/GL_GR310.txt

0905m    kks

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