GX_GR310
Springfield, IL Fri May 4, 2012 USDA-IL Dept of Ag Market News
Hay Market Report as of May 2, 2012
All hay prices quoted dollars per ton FOB the farm, small square bales
unless otherwise noted. Straw quoted in dollars per bale and by the ton.
This report was based on the sale of 1650 tons.
The demand for Illinois hay was moderate to good, as sales activity was
moderate to active, with prices steady to 20 dollars lower. Producers in
the central and southern regions of Illinois had a great opportunity to
bale some high quality first cutting of hay, whether it was alfalfa, red
clover or mixed hay this season. Many producers in the northern region were
still looking for the opportunity to harvest their first hay of the 2012
season. Producers that had harvested the first crop had noted that it had
been several years since they had the opportunity to harvest such a high
quality product so early in the baling season. According to the USDA's
Illinois Weather and Crop report, Illinois producers had harvested 18% of the
first cutting of alfalfa, compared to only 2% for the five year average.
Illinois producers had also harvested 19% of the state's first cutting of red
clover. The demand for wheat straw was moderate, with moderate supplies.
Demand was moderate for livestock feeding and bedding and interest was
increasing for the spring mulching and grass sowing season.
Northern: Northern Illinois hay trading was moderate, with prices steady to
20 dollars lower. Demand was light to moderate with light to moderate
offerings. Straw prices were steady, with moderate demand and moderate
offerings. Supreme Alfalfa 250 in big squares; Premium Alfalfa 200-240, big
squares 200-225; Good Alfalfa 200, 180-220 in big squares and 140-160 in big
rounds; Fair Alfalfa 160-180, 140-150 in big squares, 110-115 in big rounds;
Utility Alfalfa 80-100, 80-100 in big squares, 60-80 in big rounds. Premium
Mix 200-240, 200-225 in big squares; Good Mix 200, 190-220 in big squares,
140-150 in big rounds; Fair Mix 120-160, 140-160 in big squares, 100-115 in
big rounds; Utility Mix 60-80, 60-80 in big squares, 60-80 in big rounds.
Premium Grass 180-200, 145-160 in big squares; Good Grass 160-180, 125-145 in
big squares and 80-100 in big rounds; Fair Grass 120-140, 110-125 in big
squares, 60-90 in big rounds; Utility Grass 40-60, 60 for big squares and 50-
60 in big rounds. Straw prices were 2.50-4.00 per bale in small squares, 130-
150 per ton in small squares, with large squares 110-125, and big rounds at
70-95.
Central: Central Illinois hay sales were slow to moderate, with prices steady
to 20 dollars lower. Demand was moderate, with light to moderate offerings.
Straw prices were steady, with moderate demand and moderate offerings. Premium
Alfalfa 200-240, 200-220 in big squares; Good Alfalfa 200, 180-190 in big
squares, 120-140 in big rounds; Fair Alfalfa 120-160, 100-120 in big rounds,
120-150 in big squares; Utility Alfalfa 60-80, 80 in big squares, and 60 in
big rounds. Premium Mix 240-260, 200-225 in big squares; Good Mix 200-240,
180-200 in big squares, 100-120 in big rounds; Fair Mix 120-140, 115-140 in
big squares, 80-100 in big rounds; Utility Mix 60-80, 60-80 in big rounds.
Premium Grass 160-200, 160-170 in big squares, 120-130 in big rounds; Good
Grass 160-180, 150-160 in big squares, 100-120 in big rounds; Fair Grass 120-
140, 100-120 in big squares and 90-110 in big rounds; Utility Grass 60-80,
60-65 in big squares, 45-50 in big rounds. Straw prices were 2.50-3.50 per
bale, 130-150 per ton in small squares and 110-125 in big squares and 70-90
in big rounds.
Southern: Southern Illinois producers reported hay trading was moderate to
active, with moderate to good demand, and prices were mostly steady. Straw
prices were steady, with moderate demand and moderate offerings. Premium
Alfalfa was 200-240, 190-220 in big squares; Good Alfalfa 200-220, 185-200 in
big squares, 120-140 in big rounds; Fair Alfalfa 120-160, 120-140 big
squares, 90-110 in big rounds; Utility Alfalfa 80-100, 60-80 in big squares
and 60-80 in big rounds. Premium Mix 240-280, 200-220 big squares; Good Mix
200-240, 180-200 in big squares, 100-130 in big rounds; Fair Mix 160-180,
120-140 in big squares, 100-110 in big rounds; Utility Mix 60-80, 70-80 in
big rounds. Premium Grass 180-200, 160-170 in big squares; Good Grass 160-
180, 140-160 in big squares, 130 in big rounds; Fair Grass 120-140, 90-110 in
big rounds, 100-120 in big squares; Utility Grass 60-80, 50-70 in big rounds.
Straw was 2.50-3.50 per bale; 110-125 per ton in big squares, 70-90 in big
rounds and 130-150 in small squares.
=======================================================================
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
Low 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 Designations 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.
=======================================================================
Source: USDA-IL Dept of AG Market News Springfield, IL 217-782-4925
in state only toll free 888-458-4787
www.ams.usda.gov/mncs/mn_reports/gx_gr310.txt
1200c jm
.
Illinois Hay Market Report
Related Articles
No matching related articles at this time.
Comments (0) Leave a comment