Weekly Regional Hay Market Update

Here is USDA Grain and Livestock Reporter Niki Davila with the Columbia Basin Hay report from last week.
Davila: “We had 5,545 tons trade this week compared to last Friday. Trade was slow with light demand. Alfalfa good quality large square bales $135 for new crop. Mid-square premium quality $160 for export and $170 to $180 for domestic; good quality $110 for tarped old crop; $130 for old crop and $135 for new crop. Orchard grass good to premium quality mid-square bales $250. Timothy grass mid-square bales premium quality $180 to $190 for export.”
In Idaho there was a better depiction of the market last week as the range extremes of alfalfa grades were displayed but there was still a relatively light test. Trade was slow as most producers are harvesting their new crop. New crop sales continue to contain moisture concerns. Demand remains to be relatively light to moderate. Large square bales of alfalfa for export rated premium sold for $135 per ton.
In Oregon, prices trended generally steady compared to the previous week in a very limited test. New crop hay is growing and will be harvested in the upcoming weeks. In Lake County alfalfa small squares rated premium sold for $200 per ton. In Central Oregon, orchard grass small squares rated premium sold between $260 and $270 per ton for the retail stable market. In Klamath Basin orchard grass small square bales rated premium new crop sold for $240 per ton for the retail/stable market. There were no new sales confirmed in Eastern Oregon, or in Harney County.