GX_GR310 Springfield, IL Fri June 5, 2009 USDA-IL Dept of Ag Market News Hay Market Report as of June 4, 2009 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 1125 tons. The demand for Illinois hay was light to moderate, as sales activity was slow, with prices mostly 10 to 20 dollars lower, especially for good quality hay. Many hay producers made good progress in harvesting their first cutting in late May, but rainfall has continued to slow further harvest. According to the Illinois Weather and Crop report for the week ending May 31st, Illinois producers had completed 39% of the first cutting of alfalfa, with 30% of the red clover harvest complete. Many producers were very pleased with the quality of the first cutting, but expected quality to fall slightly before that cutting was harvested. According to the USDA, Illinois has built up stocks of hay amounting to more than a year ago. Stocks of hay last year were the lowest in 50 years. Stocks of hay on May 1, 2009 totaled 300,000 tons, compared to only 210,000 tons one year ago. Demand for straw was light to moderate, with moderate to heavy offerings. Northern: Northern Illinois hay trading was slow to moderate with prices mostly 10 to 20 dollars lower on good quality hay. Demand was light to moderate with light to moderate offerings. Straw prices were steady, with light to moderate demand and moderate offerings. Premium Alfalfa 160-180, 165-170 in big squares; Good Alfalfa 160, 145-160 in big squares, 100 in big rounds; Fair Alfalfa 100-120, 125-145 in big squares, 80-100 in big rounds; Utility Alfalfa 40-60, 60-80 in big squares. Premium Mix 160-180, 165 in big squares; Good Mix 140-160, 130 in big squares, 80-100 in big rounds; Fair Mix 100-120, 100-130 in big squares, 60-80 in big rounds; Utility 40-60, 60-80 in big squares, 40-60 in big rounds. Premium Grass 140-160; 130-140 in big squares; Good Grass 120-140, 120 in big squares and 80-100 in big rounds; Fair Grass 80-100, 100 in big squares, 60-80 in big rounds; Utility 40-60, 60-80 for big squares and 50 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 90 and large rounds at 55-70. Central: Central Illinois hay sales were light to moderate with prices 10 to 20 dollars lower, especially on good quality hay. Demand was light to moderate with moderate offerings. Straw prices were steady, with moderate demand and moderate offerings. Premium Alfalfa 170-180, 165-170 in big squares, 130 in big rounds; Good Alfalfa 140-160, 140-150 in big squares, 100-120 in big rounds; Fair Alfalfa 100-120, 50-80 in big rounds, 100-120 in big squares; Utility Alfalfa 40-60, 60-80 in big squares, and 50 in big rounds. Premium Mix 160-180, 160 in big squares; Good Mix 140-160, 140 in big squares, 100 in big rounds; Fair Mix 80-100, 100-120 in big squares, 60-80 in big rounds; Utility Mix 40-60, 40-60 in big rounds. Premium Grass 120-160, 140 in big squares, 100 in big rounds; Good Grass 120-140, 120 in big squares, 80-100 in big rounds; Fair Grass 80, 80-100 in big squares and 60 in big rounds; Utility 40-60, 60 in big squares, 50 in big rounds. Straw was steady to firm with moderate to good demand. Prices were 2.00-2.50 per bale, 90-120 per ton in small squares and 70-90 in big squares and 45-65 in big rounds. Southern: Southern Illinois producers reported hay trading was slow to moderate with light to moderate demand. Prices were mostly 10 to 20 dollars lower, with supplies light to moderate. Straw prices were steady, with moderate demand and light to moderate offerings. Premium Alfalfa was 160-180, 170 in big squares; Good Alfalfa 140-160, 140-150 in big squares, 90-100 in big rounds; Fair Alfalfa 100-120, 120 big squares, 80 in big rounds; Utility Alfalfa 40-60, 80 in big squares and 40-60 in big rounds. Premium Mix 160-180, 140-160 big squares; Good Mix 130-160, 120 in big squares, 100 in big rounds; Fair Mix 100-120, 90-110 in big squares; Utility Mix 40-60, 30-50 in big rounds. Premium Grass 140-160, 120-130 in big squares; Good Grass 120-130, 120 in big squares, 80 in big rounds; Fair Grass 80, 50-60 in big rounds, 80 in big squares; Utility Grass 40-60, 30-50 in big rounds. Straw was 2.00-2.50 per bale; 60-95 per ton in big squares, with 100-120 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 .