USDA Montana Hay                                   10/17 17:10
AMS_2769
 
Montana Direct Hay Report

                               Released on October 17, 2025
 
Direct Hay Weighted Average Report for week ending 10/17/2025
 
                                      VOLUME
                    This Week         Last Reported         Last Year
                                       (09/29/2025)
Tons:
      Hay           1025                30                  1710                
      Straw         100                 100                                     
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      Total         1125                130                 1710                
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Compared to last report(10-03-25): Hay sold generally steady.
Very few new hay sales were seen again this session as many ranchers 
are busy marketing calves.
Much of the state has received beneficial fall rains and mountain snow 
over the last few weeks.
This continues to green and keep pastures and rangeland in good grazing 
condition especially in Eastern and Southern Montana.
Many producers have and plan on keeping cows out on pasture as long as 
they can to help curb wintering costs.
Ranchers have put buying hay on a back burner as a result.
Most sales this week were from dry western counties.
A few producers continue to try and finish putting up 3rd cutting, however 
rains and shorter days make drying hay difficult.
Another system moves across the state this weekend and is forecast to 
bring additional rain and mountain snow.
Heavy supplies of grain hay continue to weigh on the market.
This has put some pressure on the hay market as ranchers and feedlots 
opt to buy a lower cost feed.
Market activity was mostly slow to moderate this session.
According to the drought monitor 46.78 of the state is in Moderate drought 
or worse, up 6.04% from 2 weeks ago.
28.89% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, down 2.92% from 
2 weeks ago.
8.55% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, unchanged from 2 weeks ago.
0% of the state is in Expectational drought, unchanged from 2 weeks ago.
Notably, 78.18% of the state is abnormally dry, up 5.24% from 2 weeks ago.

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Hay Conventional
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Alfalfa Utility Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       200       100.0   100    F.O.B.     Covered     Old Crop

Alfalfa/Grass Mix  Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            125       140.0   140    F.O.B.                         

Alfalfa/Grass Mix Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            450   125.0-155.0 131.67 F.O.B.                         
 Large Square 3x4       250   125.0-140.0 137    F.O.B.                         


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Straw Conventional
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Barley  Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square           75        60.0    60     F.O.B.                         
 Round                  25        60.0    60     F.O.B.