Pacific Northwest Hay Market Update

Last week was marked with rain across the Pacific Northwest region, great news for wheat growers, not so much for any hay growers with hay on the ground. USDA Market Reporter Greg Sanders shares last week’s hay market update.
Sanders: “Well so far this week, because of the rain there has been a lot of Timothy trade and the small bale Timothy for the horse export market all the way up to $320 per ton. Then for dairy big bale export it is up to anywhere from $260 to $280 so far. And the alfalfa for dairy and export is still anywhere from $260 to $280 too. But everybody is between cuttings right now. First cutting is pretty much done and now they are just starting on second cutting right now after the rainstorms at the first part of the week.”
In Idaho compared to the week previous, new crop alfalfa was steady to $10 per ton higher. Trade was moderate as first cutting alfalfa trading is in full swing. Demand remains very good — especially for high testing alfalfa going to California. Rain and even light snow was reported last week.
In Washington new crop first cutting alfalfa for domestic and export was steady and trade was moderate. Demand remains good with domestic and export buyers.
In Oregon prices were generally steady compared to the previous for the same quality. Trading was light to moderate during last week.