Demand and Sales Activity
Overall hay market was steady with pressure to weaken prices . Grade 3 hay was discounted this week compared to other hay grades . Dairy quality hay is scarce and when a buyer is pres ent it will bring a good price . Mountains of lower quality hay are being discounted
For Nebraska , demand and movement of hay is light for this time of the year. High moisture corn harvest has begun and may contribute to lack of dema nd at the markets for hay. Prices are unevenly steady.
For Iowa , hay buyers feel they are in the drivers set to force prices lower. Most growers feel they can store hay until there is some upward movement in prices. There is a limited supply of quality hay available and sellers feel they will see better pric ing during the winter months .
In South Dakota , hay sold at unevenly steady price s . Alfalfa hay has a greater demand than grass hay. Overall demand is very light for all hay types and grades. There is some fourth cutting hay to be harvested in the state, but soybean and corn harv est may take precedent at this time .
In I llinois , Arthur sale barn reported moderate demand with active trading . Quality small square bale hay w as in demand , while low quality hay was heavily discounted .
For Missouri, movement of hay is basically at a standstill with an inactive mark et . Demand is light with steady to weak prices. In Southwest Minnesota, a good supply of lower quality hay, with light demand and lower prices . Limited loads of hay were available and only lower quality .
In Wisconsin , western hay brought a good price at the auction, while local lower quality hay is discounted . Lower quality hay is readily available and has very little demand. Overall s traw price was steady at the auction this week. Small square bale straw a verage d $ 2 . 8 0 a bale t his week (range of $ 1 . 0 0 to $6.00) .
Large packaged straw ran $1.00/bale higher th is week with square bales averaging $ 3 3 . 0 0 per bale (range of $ 1 5 . 00 to $ 4 6 .00) . L arge round bale straw a verage d $ 3 8 .00 per bale (range of $ 31 .00 to $ 43 .00) .
Source:uwex.edu