AM_GR310
Amarillo, TX         Fri Nov 20, 2009       USDA-TX Dept of Ag Market News

Weekly Texas Hay Report

   Compared to last week:  Hay prices generally steady.  Demand light to 
moderate with generally slow movement.  Much of the current available hay 
supplies continue to be held by producers seeking higher price levels and in 
some cases holding hay for personal use.  Higher operating and freight costs are 
also large hay price determining factors.  The warm mild weather with little or 
no rain has been excellent for last cutting of hay and harvest of cotton and 
other crops.  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 165.00-175.00; Premium to Supreme 
quality 155.00-165.00; Good to Premium quality 125.00-150.00; Good quality 
120.00-125.00; Fair to Good quality 100.00-120.00.  
   Chopped Alfalfa: Delivered to feedlots: North: 122.00-135.00.  South: 122.00-
135.00, instances 140.00-145.00.
   Mixed Timothy/grass hay: Delivered: small bales 200.00.
   Prairie Hay: Delivered: Large Bales: 130.00-140.00. 
   Coastal Bermuda: Delivered: Large rounds and squares 115.00-125.00. 
   Bluestem grass hay: FOB: 40.00-50.00 per roll FOB and delivered locally. 
   Sorghum/Sudan grass: Delivered: large rounds 90.00.
   Redtop cane hay: large rounds: 50.00-55.00 per roll FOB and delivered 
locally.
   Corn stalks: large bales: Delivered 50.00 

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, 5.50-7.00 per bale.  
Large squares: Delivered: Supreme quality 165.00-175.00; Premium to Supreme 
quality 150.00-165.00; Good to Premium quality 125.00-150.00; Good quality 
120.00-125.00; Fair to Good quality 100.00-120.00. 

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 165.00-185.00; Premium to Supreme 
quality 160.00-170.00. Good to Premium quality 130.00-160.00; Good quality 
120.00-130.00; Fair to Good quality 100.00-120.00. 
   Coastal Bermuda: Small squares: FOB: Good to Premium quality 6.00-7.00 per 
bale; Fair quality 5.00-6.00 per bale.  Large rounds: FOB: Good to Premium 
quality 60.00-70.00; 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 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

1045c    ktg 



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