Although hay harvest is not finished in all areas of Manitoba, hay prices seem lower than last year, according to John McGregor of Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association.
In most areas, alfalfa and alfalfa/grass are around six cents per pound, and beef hay is in the three to five cent per pound range. Dairy hay varies around eight to 10 cents per pound.
Supply also varies across the province, with some areas having made a third cut, while others may be looking at a forage shortage while waiting to make the final cut. McGregor says right now prices are looking low because harvest is ongoing in some areas, so producers are hesitating to buy.
"The ones that want to buy hay are still waiting to see what their final hay cut will be like, as well as what they can acquire as far as straw or some native hay," he says.
Methods of selling hay can also vary. McGregor says you can buy hay by the acre, the pound, the bale or the metric or imperial tonne, but the most confusion can come from buying per bale.
Source : PortageOnline