USDA Montana Hay                                   01/23 13:25
AMS_2769
 
Montana Direct Hay Report

                               Released on January 23, 2026
 
Direct Hay Weighted Average Report for week ending 01/23/2026
 
                                      VOLUME
                    This Week         Last Reported         Last Year
                                       (01/05/2026)
Tons:
      Hay           2390                4244                735                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total         2390                4244                735                 
======================================================================

Compared to last report(1-09-26): Hay sold mostly steady to 10.00 higher.
Hay supplies continue to tighten across the state.
Hay supplies in Northern and western Montana are extremely tight and 
many producers are trucking hay in from Central and southern Montana.
Delivered hay prices 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.
Some Central Montana hay producers are starting to report that they are 
sold out of hay as well.
Hay across the state has seen increased demand due to tighter supplies.
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.
Extreme cold has returned to the state over the last few days which has 
spurred some buying.
Light snowfall is expected through the weekend.
According to the drought monitor 18.19 of the state is in Moderate drought 
or worse, down 1.6% from 2 weeks ago.
8.08 of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, unchanged 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, 49.78% of the state is abnormally dry, down 1.61% from 2 weeks ago.

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Hay Conventional
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Alfalfa Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       500   130.0-135.0 131.5  F.O.B.                         

Alfalfa Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            460       170.0   170    F.O.B.                         
 Large Square 3x4       700       150.0   150    F.O.B.                         

Alfalfa Utility Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       120       85.0    85     F.O.B.-                Old Crop
                                                 Feedlot

Alfalfa/Grass Mix Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            250       170.0   170    F.O.B.                         

Grass Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       150       100.0   100    F.O.B.                         

Grass Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            210       160.0   160    F.O.B.