Hay Markets

Montana Hay Report

Compared to last week: Hay sold fully steady. Supplies continue to move across the state as producers push to sell hay. Trucks are moving all across the state as producers have priced hay to move. Larger hay sales over 500 ton continue to sell with discounts to smaller sales. Producers are offering buyers discounts if they take larger quantities as they continue to move through supplies. Supplies have decreased over the last few weeks but remain moderate in most locations. Valley rain and mountain snow continue across the state this week, however most locations received very light totals. Demand remains good for grass hay and mixed hay as ranchers search for grass to get cows and calves to turnout time. Demand for higher quality hay has improved some as cows get picky with the arrival of spring. Demand for hay in the eastern portion of the state has improved in recent weeks as dry conditions are beginning to become worrisome for ranchers. Many locations continue to miss spring rains that western and central Montana have seen this spring. Market activity was mostly moderate to active this week. According to the drought monitor 37.93% of the state is in Moderate drought or worse, up 2.75% from last week. 10.82% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, 1.84% lower than last week. 1.72% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, unchanged from last week. 0% of the state is in Expectational drought, unchanged from last week. Notably, 65.43% of the state is abnormally dry, up 2.24% from last week.

Wyoming Hay Report

Compared to last week, movement has been about steady. Most of the hay being sold is in small loads at a time as animals need feed waiting for grass to green up. Quite a few tons of hay left to sell in various areas of the state. According to the U.S. drought monitor website, all of Wyoming is under abnormally dry to moderately dry soil moisture with Southeast Wyoming having extreme dry soil moisture. According to the Wyoming crop progress report, as of May 4th, hay supplies were reported to be 51% adequate, pasture and range conditions are 25% good condition, winter wheat is 5% good condition, alfalfa hay is 48% good condition, other hay is 62% good condition, with barley being 80% good condition.