AM_GR310 Amarillo, TX Fri Feb 05, 2010 USDA-TX Dept of Ag Market News Weekly Texas Hay Report Compared to last week: Hay prices generally steady. Trade and demand moderate to good. Most of the state has received winter precipitation over the last few weeks. This has improved the outlook for the coming year as over 80 percent of the state is reporting normal to above normal amounts of precipitation. This is especially good news for the areas of Texas that suffered from drought last year and exhausted a majority of the forage availability and hay inventories in those regions. Hay continues to be shipped into these areas to meet the demand for supplemental feed for livestock. The Panhandle and West Texas regions received precipitation in the form of snow and freezing rain. Though this weather was tough on livestock and many producers had to supplement feed, the moisture was welcome. The snow especially improved the outlook of producers with cattle on wheat pastures. Dairy and Horse quality hay remains hard to find and prices remain firm. Prices for hay and pellets quoted per ton except where noted. The state of Texas Department of Agriculture has the Hay and Grazing Hot Line set up for buyers and sellers; number is 1-877-429-1998. The web site for TDA is www.tda.state.tx.us. Panhandle: Alfalfa: Small squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme quality 200.00-240.00, 7.00-8.00 per bale; Good to Premium quality 180.00-200.00, 5.00-7.00 per bale. Large squares: Delivered: Supreme quality 170.00-185.00; Premium to Supreme quality 155.00-170.00; Good to Premium quality 140.00-155.00; Good quality 130.00-140.00; Fair to Good quality 100.00-130.00. Chopped Alfalfa: Delivered to feedlots: North: 135.00-145.00. South: 135.00- 145.00, instances calf hay 150.00. Brome grass: Delivered: Large bales: 115.00-120.00. Sorghum/Sudan grass: FOB: Large rounds: 65.00-80.00. Peanut Hay: Delivered: Large bales: 90.00-105.00. Redtop cane hay: FOB: Large rounds: 70.00-100.00 per roll FOB and delivered locally. West Texas: Alfalfa: Small squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme quality 200.00-240.00, 7.00-8.00 per bale; Good to Premium quality 180.00-200.00, 5.00-7.00 per bale. Large squares: Delivered: Supreme quality 170.00-185.00; Premium to Supreme quality 155.00-170.00; Good to Premium quality 140.00-155.00; Good quality 130.00-140.00; Fair to Good quality 100.00-130.00. North, Central and East Texas: Alfalfa: Small squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme quality 235.00-300.00, 7.00-10.00 per bale; Good to Premium quality 180.00-235.00, 5.00-7.00 per bale. Large squares: Delivered: Supreme quality 170.00-185.00, instances 200.00- 210.00; Premium to Supreme quality 160.00-170.00; Good to Premium quality 140.00-160.00; Good quality 130.00-140.00; Fair to Good quality 110.00-130.00. Coastal Bermuda: Small squares: FOB: Good to Premium quality 6.00-8.00 per bale; Fair quality 5.00-6.00 per bale. Large rounds: FOB: Good to Premium quality 60.00-70.00, few 80.00-85.00, instances 95.00 horse quality; Good quality 50.00-60.00; Fair quality 40.00-50.00 per roll. Tifton 85: Large rounds: FOB: Good to Premium quality 50.00-60.00. South Texas: Coastal Bermuda: Small squares: FOB or delivered locally: Good to Premium quality 6.00-8.00; Fair quality 5.00-6.00 per bale. Large rounds: FOB: Good to Premium quality 60.00-70.00, few 80.00-85.00, instances 95.00 horse quality; Good quality 50.00-60.00; Fair quality 40.00-50.00 per roll. 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 Utility 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 Designation's 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. Defects will be identified in market reports when using this category. Source: USDA-Texas Dept of Ag Market News, Amarillo, TX 806/372-6361 - email: amarillo.lgmn@usda.gov www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/am_gr310.txt 0800c djm .