Demand and Sales Activity
Compared to the previous week, small square bal e prices were up 21 %. Large square bale prices were up 2 % . Large roun d bale prices were down 5 % . Sales activity was very light to moderate .
For Nebraska , hay prices were steady on limited alfalfa hay sales . Most hay products continue to trade slow this fall. The most sought after product is dairy quality alfalfa that tests with an RFV of 170 or more. Light to heavy rain in most areas of the state this week has put a halt to fall hay production, soybean and high moisture corn harvest. There is quite a lot of millet and cane hay to be mowed and baled within the reporti ng region. For Iowa , hay prices were steady on very limited alfalfa hay sales . Damp, rainy conditions in many areas of the state continue to hamper producers fro m putting up top quality hay. There is still a lot of fourth cutting alfalfa to be cut and baled . Hopefully, producers will get some sunshine to finish out the season.
In South Dakota , hay prices were $ 3.55 high er . There wa s limited trade activity this week, all classes of hay steady. Demand remains very good for high testing hay for dair ies and high quality grass, moderate for lower quality alfalfa and grass. Inquiry has been light this past week. Soybean and corn harvest has started across the region. Cool fall weather has finally arrived, with some rain across parts of the region. T he forecast is projected to stay cool and damp for the weekend and into early next week.
For Missouri , alfalfa hay prices were steady on very limited alfalfa hay sales . Hay supply is moderate to heavy and demand is light . Severe weather and heavy r ains brought field work of any kind to a stand still for nearly the entire state the second half of this week. Some areas reporting 5 - 6 inches in just a short time which made flooding a concern in river bottom fields and low lying areas. With the arriva l of cooler weather and the flipping of the calendar to a new month, several producers are starting to finish haying for the year, giving equipment a good wash down and backing it in the shed for the final time this season.
In Southwest Minnesota , hay pr ices were $ 19.40 high er . The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 91 percent complete, slightly ahead of last year. Pasture conditions decreased slightly to 68 percent good to excellent and were rated 2 % very poor; 7 % poor; 23 % fair; 56 % good; and 12 % excell ent.
The demand for Illinois hay remained light to moderate, with market activity slow to moderate, for moderate to heavy offerings. Price s were steady to $9.20 lower than one month ago . Demand was increasing for premium type alfalfa as some dairy prod ucers looked to build supplies. Many producers were finishing their baling of dry hay for the 2014 season. The last couple of weeks of September gave many producers a chance to finish baling and to harvest some good quality hay. Pasture conditions have remained good in many areas of the state, reducing the demand for hay. The demand for wheat straw was good, with trading moderate to active, for light to moderate supplies of straw.
For Wisconsin, hay prices were $ 6.15 high er at a quality - tested hay auct ion in Fennimore . Warm and sunny days and minimal precipitation last week boosted crop maturity and allowed farmers to make good progress on fall fieldwork this week. The third cutting was 97 percent complete. The fourth cutting was 67 percent complete. Pasture conditions stable a nd were rated at 1 % very poor ; 5 % poor; 27 % fair; 55 % good; and 12 % excellent.
Straw pric es in the Midwest averaged $ 3.49 per s mall square bale (range of $2 .20 to $5. 00); $ 39.16 per large square bale (range of $ 20.00 to $ 54.38 ) ; and $ 39.75 per large round bale (range of $ 32.5 0 to $ 50.0 0 ). Compared to the previous week, straw pric e s for small square bales were 3 % high er . For la rge sq uare bales, prices were 1% low er . For large round bales, prices were 7% lower .
Source:uwex.edu
Click here to see more...