AM_GR310 Amarillo, TX Fri May 17, 2013 USDA Market News Weekly Texas Hay Report Compared to last week: Alfalfa hay prices mostly firm to 5.00 higher as it becomes scarce and more attention is turned to wheat hay. Wheat hay prices have a wide price spread mainly due to amount of protein and freight. Trade activity was light to moderate on moderate demand. The normal warm May temperatures have resumed this week with no freezes in sight however most of the damage has already been done to wheat crops. Most areas remain dry and supplemental feeding of livestock continues. Many livestock producers are reducing herds as grazing conditions deteriorate. Prices for hay and pellets quoted per ton except where noted. The Texas Department of Agriculture has Hay and Grazing Hot Line set up for Buyers and sellers looking for hay or grazing; the number is 1-877-429-1998. The website for the hotline is: www.TexasAgricultue.gov/hayhotline Panhandle/High Plains: Alfalfa: Small Squares: Delivered: Good to Premium 9.00-11.00 per bale, 300.00-330.00, few sales New Crop 355.00. Large Bales: Delivered: Premium to Supreme 280.00-320.00, New Crop 255.00- 285.00. Good to Premium 260.00-280.00; Fair to Good 225.00-260.00. Small Bales: FOB: Premium to Supreme 11.00-12.00 per bale. Large Bales: FOB: limited test: New-Crop - Premium to Supreme 280.00; Good to Premium 250.00-270.00. Chopped Alfalfa: Delivered to feedlots: North: 255.00-265.00. South: 265.00-275.00, calf hay 275.00-285.00. Wheat Hay: Large Bales: Delivered: 120.00-175.00. Coastal Bermuda Hay: Large Bales: Delivered: 180.00. Small Bales: Delivered: Good to Premium 10.50 per bale. Triticale Hay: Large Bales: Delivered: 175.00. Corn Stalks: Large Bales: Delivered: 90.00. CRP Hay: Large Bales: Delivered: 80.00. Far West Texas/Trans Pecos: Alfalfa: Small Squares: FOB: Premium to Supreme 280.00-330.00, 8.00-10.50 per bale. Large squares: FOB: Premium to Supreme 240.00-245.00. Mid-square: 270.00 Good quality 200.00. North, Central, and East Texas: Alfalfa: Small Squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme limited test 8.00- 12.00 per bale. Large Squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme 270.00-300.00, New Crop 255.00; Good to Premium 260.00-270.00. Wheat Hay: Large Bales: 130.00-150.00. Coastal Bermuda: Small Squares: FOB: Good to Premium 230.00-265.00, 6.00- 8.00 per bale, Fair to Good 5.00-6.00 per bale. Large Rounds: FOB: Good to Premium 50.00-90.00; 100.00-180.00 per ton, Good 40.00-50.00 per roll, 100.00-120.00 per ton; Fair 40.00 per roll. South Texas: Coastal Bermuda: Small Squares: FOB: Good to Premium 230.00-265.00, 7.00- 8.00 per bale; Fair to Good 165.00-230.00, 5.00-7.00 per bale. Large Rounds: FOB and delivered locally: Good to Premium 120.00-180.00; 60.00-90.00 per roll, Good 50.00-60.00 per roll, 100.00-120.00 per ton. 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 Market News Service, Amarillo, TX 806/372-6361 - amarillo.lgmn@ams.usda.gov USDA 24 hour price information 806-372-3494 www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/AM_GR310.txt www.ams.usda.gov/lsmarketnews 1000c ktg ldh