USDA Montana Hay                                   12/12 15:35
AMS_2769
 
Montana Direct Hay Report

                               Released on December 12, 2025
 
Direct Hay Weighted Average Report for week ending 12/12/2025
 
                                      VOLUME
                    This Week         Last Reported         Last Year
                                       (11/24/2025)
Tons:
      Hay           1910                900                 532                 
      Straw                             75                  400                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total         1910                975                 932                 
Bales:
      Straw                                                 18                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total                                                 18                  
======================================================================

Special Note:
This is the last report until Jan 9th due to the Christmas and New years 
holidays.
 
Compared to last report(11-28-25): Hay sold steady to 10.00 higher.
A two tier market continues to be seen as hay in the northern and western 
portions of the state continues to be the highest priced.
Hay in the southern portions of the state are starting to see some price 
increases but remains below hay in Northern and far western Montana.
Demand for round bales is very good as many ranchers report that they 
are hard to find.
Several sets of hay in rounds outsold the same hay off the same farms 
in squares.
Producers report strong 10.00-20.00 per ton premiums willing to be given 
for hay in rounds.
Sales were more active this week as winter weather helped spur some buying.
Additionally several producers report that ranchers are active in buying 
hay for tax purposes.
This has also helped spur some demand for hay.
According to the drought monitor 47.06 of the state is in Moderate drought 
or worse, down 5.57% from 2 weeks ago.
20.46% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, down 5.87% from 
2 weeks ago.
3.70% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, unchanged from 2 weeks ago.
0% of the state is in Expectational drought, unchanged from 2 weeks ago.
Notably, 64.76% of the state is abnormally dry, down 4.92% 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 Round            200       140.0   140    F.O.B.                         
 Large Square 3x4       1000      115.0   115    F.O.B.                         

Alfalfa Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            190       160.0   160    F.O.B.                         

Alfalfa/Grass Mix Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       100       130.0   130    F.O.B.                         

Alfalfa/Grass Mix Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            150       160.0   160    F.O.B.                         
 Large Square 3x4       120       150.0   150    F.O.B.     Covered     Old Crop

Forage Mix-Three Way  Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            150       100.0   100    F.O.B.