USDA Idaho Hay                                     03/06 10:55
AMS_3056
 
Idaho Direct Hay Report

                               Released on March 06, 2026
 
Direct Hay Weighted Average Report for week ending 03/06/2026
 
                                      VOLUME
                    This Week         Last Reported         Last Year
                                       (02/16/2026)
Tons:
      Hay           1700                5020                3375                
      Straw                                                 753                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total         1700                5020                4128                
======================================================================

Compared to the last report, demand for all types of hay in Idaho is 
good with feeder hay supplies being light and harder to find.
Everyone is saying demand is picking up and their phones are ringing 
more than they have recently.
Premium and supreme hay doesn't seem to have as high of a demand as feeder 
hay although with feeder hay becoming harder to find people are 
needing to buy higher quality hay to feed.
A couple more producers sold out of hay with feeder hay having high demand.
Most of Idaho got some snowfall this past week which has improved the 
water situation but people are still worried about a drought in most 
areas around Idaho with the supply still being low.
According to the U.S.
Drought Monitor Website, The entire state is under abnormally dry to 
moderate drought with patches of extreme drought in southwest Idaho.
Most of the big hay producing areas in Idaho are under moderate drought.
According to Idaho Department of Water Resources and NRCS, the snowpack 
for Idaho is: Owyhee range 20% of median, Bruneau, Salmon Falls, 
Goose Creek, ranges are 40%-50% of median, Raft range is 68% of median, 
Bear River, Blackfoot ranges are 77%-81% of median, Portneuf range 
is 54% of median, Willow range is 57% of median, Snake range is 96% of 
median, Henrys Fork, Medicine Lodge ranges are 84%-87% of median, Lemh.
Grass Hay guidelines
Quality Crude Protein Percent
Premium     
  Over 13
Good              9-13
Fair                  5-9
Low     
           Under 5
Alfalfa Quality Guidelines
Quality        ADF    
  NDF *RFV/RFQ **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
.
**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).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   South
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hay Conventional
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfalfa Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       750       170.0   170    F.O.B.-    Covered             
                                                 Feedlot


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Southeast
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hay Conventional
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfalfa Good/Premium Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       350       150.0   150    F.O.B.                         

Alfalfa Premium Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 4x4       500       190.0   190    F.O.B.-                        
                                                 Export

Mixed Grass Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            100       120.0   120    F.O.B.-                        
                                                 Farm/Ranch