GX_GR310 Springfield, IL Fri Oct 3, 2008 USDA-IL Dept of Ag Market News Hay Market Report as of Oct 2, 2008 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 1030 tons. The demand for Illinois hay was light to moderate, as sales activity was slow and prices were mostly steady. Many producers had completed their third cutting this year and it will be the final crop taken. Yields have been very good for hay producers in Illinois, but the weather has made it a challenge to bale between the showers. Hay inventories are in much better shape than one year ago, as many livestock feeders did not have to feed hay during the summer. Pastures were in good shape for most of the feeding season, which led to less hay usage. As we turn to the fall and winter feeding seasons, the interest in buying hay has increased with many starting to buy some of their winter inventory. Demand for straw was moderate, with most of the interest coming for mulching and the fall decorating season. Northern: Northern Illinois hay trading was slow with prices mostly steady. Demand was light to moderate with moderate to heavy offerings. Straw prices were steady, with moderate demand and moderate offerings. Premium Alfalfa 160-200, 185-215 in big squares; Good Alfalfa 160-180, 150-185 in big squares, 100-120 in big rounds; Fair Alfalfa 120-140, 120-150 in big squares, 80-100 in big rounds; Utility Alfalfa 80- 100, 100-120 in big squares. Premium Mix 160-180, 165-180 in big squares; Good Mix 140-160, 140-160 in big squares, 100-120 in big rounds; Fair Mix 120-140, 110-140 in big squares, 80-100 in big rounds; Utility 80-100, 80-100 in big squares, 60-80 in big rounds. Premium Grass 160-180; 140-160 in big squares; Good Grass 120-140, 120- 140 in big squares and 80-100 in big rounds; Fair Grass 100-120, 100-120 in big squares, 80-100 in big rounds; Utility 80-100, 110 for big squares and 75 in big rounds. Straw prices were 2.00-2.50 per bale in small squares, 100-120 per ton in small squares, with large squares 70-90. Central: Central Illinois hay sales were light to moderate with prices mostly steady. Demand was light to moderate with moderate to heavy offerings. Straw prices were steady, with moderate demand and light to moderate offerings. Premium Alfalfa 180-220, 185-205 in big squares, 130-150 in big rounds; Good Alfalfa 180-210, 170- 195 in big squares, 120-130 in big rounds; Fair Alfalfa 120-140, 80-100 in big rounds, 120-150 in big squares; Utility Alfalfa 80-100, 100 in big squares, and 70- 80 in big rounds. Premium Mix 190-210, 160-180 in big squares; Good Mix 160-190, 160 in big squares, 100-120 in big rounds; Fair Mix 120-140, 120-140 in big squares, 100-120 in big rounds; Utility Mix 80-100, 80-100 in big rounds. Premium Grass 140- 170, 140-160 in big squares, 100-130 in big rounds; Good Grass 120-140, 120-150 in big squares, 80-100 in big rounds; Fair Grass 100-120, 100 in big squares and 60-80 in big rounds; Utility 80, 80-100 in big squares, 65 in big rounds. Straw was steady to firm with moderate to good demand. Prices were 2.00-2.50 per bale, 100-120 per ton in small squares and 70-90 in big squares and 60 in big rounds. Southern: Southern Illinois producers reported hay trading was light to moderate with light to moderate demand and prices mostly steady. Supplies were moderate to heavy. Straw prices were mostly steady, with moderate demand and light to moderate offerings. Premium Alfalfa was 200-240, 185-205 in big squares; Good Alfalfa 180- 200, 170-185 in big squares, 120-140 in big rounds; Fair Alfalfa 140-160, 130-150 big squares, 90-100 in big rounds; Utility Alfalfa 80-100, 100 in big squares and 60-80 in big rounds. Premium Mix 180-200, 160-180 big squares; Good Mix 160-180, 140-160 in big squares, 100-120 in big rounds; Fair Mix 120-140, 120-150 in big squares; Utility Mix 100-120, 70-90 in big rounds. Premium Grass 140-160, 135-160 in big squares and 105 in big rounds; Good Grass 120-140, 120-140 in big squares, 80- 110 in big rounds; Fair Grass 100-120, 80-110 in big rounds, 100-120 in big squares; Utility Grass 80-100. Straw was 2.00-2.50 per bale; 60-90 per ton in big squares, with 80-100 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 .