USDA Montana Hay                                   02/06 13:05
AMS_2769
 
Montana Direct Hay Report

                               Released on February 06, 2026
 
Direct Hay Weighted Average Report for week ending 02/06/2026
 
                                      VOLUME
                    This Week         Last Reported         Last Year
                                       (01/19/2026)
Tons:
      Hay           1200                2390                4510                
      Straw         175                                     180                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total         1375                2390                4690                
======================================================================

Compared to last report(1-23-26): Hay sold mostly steady.
Very unseasonably warm, above average temperatures were seen across the 
state over the past two weeks.
Many producers still have cows out grazing which has drastically reduced 
the use of hay.
January-April are the months that usually see the most hay use but hay 
usage has been drastically down so far this year.
Hay supplies remain tight in Western and Northern Montana.
Delivered hay prices to far Northern and western Montana are mostly north 
of 200.00/ton with many ranging from 210.00-235.00 per ton.
Most producers in Western and Northern Montana report they are sold out 
of hay for the season, however southern producers still have hay to 
market.
Demand for round bales is very good as many ranchers report that they 
are hard to find.
Hay in rounds continues to bring a 10.00-20.00 premium to hay in squares.
However some ranchers are starting to buy hay in squares as round supplies 
are very tight.
According to the drought monitor 31.29 of the state is in Moderate drought 
or worse, up 13.10% from 2 weeks ago.
9.70 of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, up 1.62% from 2 weeks ago.
1.46% 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, 63.27% of the state is abnormally dry, up 13.49% from 2 weeks ago.

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                                   N/A
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Hay Conventional
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Alfalfa Good/Premium Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Small Square           100       265.0   265    F.O.B.-                        
                                                 Stables

Alfalfa Premium Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       50        180.0   180    F.O.B.-                        
                                                 Stables

Alfalfa Utility Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       100       85.0    85     F.O.B.-                Old Crop
                                                 Feedlot

Alfalfa/Grass Mix Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            300       140.0   140    F.O.B.                         

Alfalfa/Grass Mix Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            200       150.0   150    F.O.B.                         

Alfalfa/Grass Mix Good/Premium Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Medium Square 3x3      150       220.0   220    F.O.B.-                        
                                                 Stables

Grass Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            300       125.0   125    F.O.B.                         


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Straw Conventional
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Brome  Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square           175       65.0    65     F.O.B.