AM_GR310        
Amarillo, TX       Fri, Apr 20, 2018    USDA Market News

Weekly Texas Hay Report 

   Compared to last report: Most hay classes traded steady on moderate 
movement.  Top quality Alfalfa sold instances 15.00 higher as it proves 
difficult to find.  The wait continued for new crop hay to emerge on the 
markets.  The Panhandle has hopes of rain over the weekend to relieve the 
drought stricken pastures.  Coastal Bermuda producers in North and East 
Texas are getting ready to bale hay but a recent cold snap has slowed 
grass growth. South Texas Coastal Bermuda producers have some new crop 
baled but are in need of rain.  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.TexasAgriculture.gov/hayhotline

Panhandle/High Plains:
   Alfalfa: Large Squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme 225.00-275.00; 
		Good to Premium 205.00-225.00.
		Small Bales: Delivered: Premium 321.75, 9.75 per bale. 
   Ground Alfalfa: Delivered to feedlots: 180.00-190.00; Calf 200.00.         
   Coastal Bermuda: Large Rounds: Delivered: Good to Premium 160.00-	
		185.00, 80.00-92.50 per bale.
   Prairie: Large Rounds: Delivered: 155.00.
   Wheat Straw: Small Bales: Delivered: 4.75 per bale.
   Bluestem: Large Bales: Delivered: 35.00 per bale. 
   Cotton Burrs: Delivered: 50.00-55.00.
      
Far West Texas/Trans Pecos: 
   Alfalfa: Small Squares: Delivered local or FOB: Premium to Supreme
     		300.00-315.00, 9.00-9.50 per bale.
 		Large Squares: FOB: Premium to Supreme 240.00-250.00; Good to
		Premium 220.00-240.00.

North, Central, and East Texas:
   Alfalfa: Large Squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme 250.00-270.00;    
		Good to Premium 240.00-250.00.                           
   Coastal Bermuda: Small Squares: FOB: Good to Premium 231.00-297.00, 
		7.00-9.00 per bale; Fair to Good 198.00, 6.00 
		per bale.
   		Large Rounds: FOB: Good to Premium 100.00-120.00, 50.00-60.00 
		per roll; Fair to Good 60.00-100.00, 30.00-50.00 per roll.
   Prairie Hay: Large Bales: Delivered: 100.00.       
       
South Texas:
   Coastal Bermuda: Small Squares: FOB: Good to Premium 231.00-265.00, 
		7.00-8.00 per bale; Fair to Good 165.00-198.00, 5.00-6.00 per 
		bale. 
 		Large Rounds: FOB and delivered locally: Good to Premium 
		100.00-140.00, 50.00-70.00 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 Market News Service, Amarillo, TX
         Lana Hutto, Market Reporter 806-356-5785 
         www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/AM_GR310.txt
         
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