USDA Montana Hay                                   05/15 12:15
AMS_2769
 
Montana Direct Hay Report

                               Released on May 15, 2026
 
Direct Hay Weighted Average Report for week ending 05/15/2026
 
                                      VOLUME
                    This Week         Last Reported         Last Year
                                       (04/27/2026)
Tons:
      Hay           695                 1911                650                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total         695                 1911                650                 
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Compared to last report(5-01-26): Hay sold mostly 10.00-15.00 higher.
Hay supplies across the state are very light and demand is very good.
Hay prices continue to increase as ranchers search for hay.
Conditions across the state remain dry and both producers and ranchers 
continue to show concern for hay availability.
Lower quality hay continues to see strong demand as ranchers search for 
hay to feed cows while they wait for there to be enough grass to turn 
out.
Spring rain and snow showers were very light across much of the state, 
however some western mountain snow was seen this past week as a system 
clipped the northern and Northwestern portions of the state.
Dry and dusty conditions were seen this week across much of Northeastern 
Montana with some roads closed on Thursday due to low visibility from 
blowing dust.
No new crop contracts were seen this week as producers were overwhelmed 
with interest for hay.
Most producers took a back seat and decided to wait to see how much hay 
they can produce and how the market develops over the next few weeks.
Producers in Northeastern Montana report large swaths of winter kill 
due the January ice storm.
There is a major concern over how much hay will be produced this summer.
Many irrigation districts have already announced they will have a very 
short irrigation season due to low river and stream flows.
This, coupled with drought conditions and heavy winter kill will limit 
the volume of hay produced.
According to the drought monitor 59.58% of the state is in Moderate drought 
or worse, up 2.40% from 2 weeks ago.
32.64% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, up 4.34% from 2 
weeks ago.
6.08% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, up 0.91% from 2 weeks ago.
0% of the state is in Expectational drought, unchanged from 2 weeks ago.
Notably, 87.34% of the state is abnormally dry, down 6.94% from 2 weeks ago.

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Hay Conventional
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Alfalfa Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       60        180.0   180    F.O.B.                 Old Crop

Alfalfa Fair/Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       90        200.0   200    F.O.B.     Covered     Old Crop

Alfalfa Premium Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            45        250.0   250    F.O.B.                         

Alfalfa Utility Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       500       160.0   160    F.O.B.                 Old Crop