USDA Montana Hay                                   05/01 12:55
AMS_2769
 
Montana Direct Hay Report

                               Released on May 01, 2026
 
Direct Hay Weighted Average Report for week ending 05/01/2026
 
                                      VOLUME
                    This Week         Last Reported         Last Year
                                       (04/13/2026)
Tons:
      Hay           1911                3560                450                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total         1911                3560                450                 
======================================================================

Compared to last report(4-17-26): Hay sold mostly steady to 5.00 higher.
Hay supplies across the state continue to tighten and many producers 
are completely sold out of hay.
Some producers are holding over some hay for personal use in case drought 
conditions worsen.
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 scattered across the state over the 
past two weeks but moisture varied greatly by location.
Overall, much of the state remains dry and in some form of a drought.
New crop contracts are starting to be written and demand for new crop 
hay is good to very good.
Ranchers report they need more hay than last year as many are trying 
to grow their herds and will have more mouths to feed this winter.
Asking prices are 170.00-180.00 from several producers across the state 
with some ranchers locking in these prices quickly.
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 will limit the volume of hay produced.
According to the drought monitor 57.18% of the state is in Moderate drought 
or worse, up 0.14% from 2 weeks ago.
28.30% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, unchanged from 
2 weeks ago.
5.17% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, up 3.27% from 2 weeks ago.
0% of the state is in Expectational drought, unchanged from 2 weeks ago.
Notably, 94.28% of the state is abnormally dry, up 0.79% from 2 weeks ago.

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Hay Conventional
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Alfalfa  Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       700       180.0   180    F.O.B.                 New Crop

Alfalfa Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       80        150.0   150    F.O.B.                         

Alfalfa Fair/Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       200       185.0   185    F.O.B.     Covered     Old Crop
 Large Square 3x4       500       180.0   180    F.O.B.     Covered             

Alfalfa Premium Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       12        260.0   260    F.O.B.-    Small Lots          
                                                 Stables

Alfalfa Utility/Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       200       140.0   140    F.O.B.                 Old Crop

Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       24        200.0   200    F.O.B.                         

Grass Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       65        130.0   130    F.O.B.                         

Orchard Grass Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       90        150.0   150    F.O.B.                         

Timothy Grass Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Small Square           20        210.0   210    F.O.B.                         

Timothy Grass Premium Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Small Square           20        270.0   270    F.O.B.