USDA Montana Hay 08/08 11:55
08/08/2025 | 11:55 am CDT USDA Montana Hay 08/08 11:55
AMS_2769
Montana Direct Hay Report
Released on August 08, 2025
Direct Hay Weighted Average Report for week ending 08/08/2025
VOLUME
This Week Last Reported Last Year
(07/21/2025)
Tons:
Hay 6530 2685 2155
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 6530 2685 2155
======================================================================
Compared to last report (7-11-25): Hay sold generally steady.
Demand was not as robust over the last two weeks as it was the previous
two weeks.
Summer rains in drought stricken areas have helped soften demand slightly.
Demand this week was still moderate to good with many producers reporting
large sales.
Demand and hay prices both increase as FOB locations move north.
Hay along the highline is the highest priced hay in the state, however
very little hay is available for sale.
Delivered prices for hay to the highline remain high but have moderated
slightly.
Delivered prices were mostly 200.00-230.00 over the last two weeks.
A large supply of hail and rain on hay is on the market.
However, most early purchases have been high quality hay with little
to no rain or hail damage.
Additionally, late summer rains have been detrimental to malt barley
and wheat production, especially in Southern Montana, as many producers
report sprouting in the head due to high moisture levels.
This is putting large volumes of feed on the market.
Drought conditions have contracted over the western and northern portions
of the state.
Cattle herd expansion is on the minds of many ranchers and many are purchasing
hay and grain hay ahead of winter as they try to fine enough
feed to sustain extra mouths.
Producers in Southern and Eastern Montana are wrapping up 2nd cutting
and have started irrigating 3rd.
Central Montana and along the highline are wrapping up 1st or starting 2nd.
Market activity was mostly moderate this secession.
According to the drought monitor 72.66% of the state is in Moderate drought
or worse, up 7.01% from 2 weeks ago.
27.92% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, down 6.35% from
2 weeks ago.
10.23% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, down 2.37% from 2
weeks ago.
0% of the state is in Expectational drought, unchanged from 2 weeks ago.
Notably, 77.61% of the state is abnormally dry, down 4.95% from 2 weeks ago.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hay Conventional
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfalfa Fair/Good Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Round 1700 160.0 160 F.O.B.
Large Square 3x4 600 160.0 160 F.O.B.
Alfalfa Good Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Small Square 120 240.0 240 F.O.B.
Alfalfa/Grass Mix Fair Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Round 250 125.0 125 F.O.B.
Timothy Grass Fair Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Small Square 20 210.0 210 F.O.B. Small Lots
Timothy Grass Premium Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Small Square 40 270.0 270 F.O.B. Small Lots
Wheat Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Round 3000 90.0 90 F.O.B. Rain Damage
Large Round 800 110.0 110 F.O.B.
[0600059A]