BL_GR310 Billings, MT Fri May 24, 2013 USDA Market News Weekly Montana Hay Report No trade to report this week as available supplies of old crop hay are non-existent. Very little real talk about contracting of new crop hay. Severe drought conditions remain across the southern half of the state while the Highline of Montana looks to be near normal conditions. Irrigating water is flowing but many are concerned how long it will hold out as snowpacks are below average in many of Montana’s ranges. Cattlemen are being forced to sell cow/calf pairs and limiting the number of grass cattle they can turn out due to the short grass conditions. Light rains across parts of the state ranging from 10/100th of an inch to 67/100ths of an inch provided slight relief to some producers. According to the US Drought Monitor, the lower 2/3rds of the state is in moderate to exceptional drought conditions. All prices are dollars per ton and FOB unless otherwise noted. Alfalfa: No reported sales. Grass: No reported sales. Straw: No reported sales. Alfalfa guidelines (domestic livestock use and not more than 10 pct grass) Quality ADF NDF RFV TDN-100pct TDN-90pct CP-100pct 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 100pct dry matter. 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. Grass Hay guidelines Quality Crude Protein Percent Premium Over 13 Good 9-13 Fair 5- 9 Utility Under 5 Source: USDA Market News Service, Billings, MT Erika Sorenson, Market News Reporter 605-372-8350 www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/BL_GR310.txt www.ams.usda.gov/lsmarketnews 1230C els