USDA Montana Hay                                   01/09 14:25
AMS_2769
 
Montana Direct Hay Report

                               Released on January 09, 2026
 
Direct Hay Weighted Average Report for week ending 01/09/2026
 
                                      VOLUME
                    This Week         Last Reported         Last Year
                                       (12/08/2025)
Tons:
      Hay           4244                1910                1593                
----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total         4244                1910                1593                
======================================================================

Compared to last report(12-12-25): Hay sold mostly 10.00-20.00 higher.
Hay in Northern and Western portions of the state have seen supplies 
tighten over the past few weeks.
Many producers in Western Montana report they are sold out of hay for 
the season.
Hay in the southern portions of the state have seen increased demand 
due to tighter supplies.
This has caused prices to rise since the last report.
Demand for round bales is very good as many ranchers report that they 
are hard to find.
Hay in rounds are a 10.00-20.00 premium to hay in squares.
This is mostly driven by rancher demand.
Winter weather conditions have been very mild which has helped curb some 
demand for hay.
While several snow storms accrued over the last few weeks much of that 
snow melted and was absorbed into the ground as some locations have 
yet to see the ground completely freeze.
According to the drought monitor 19.79 of the state is in Moderate drought 
or worse, down 27.27% from 4 weeks ago.
8.08 of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, down 12.38% from 
4 weeks ago.
1.46% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, down 2.24% from 4 weeks ago.
0% of the state is in Expectational drought, unchanged from 4 weeks ago.
Notably, 51.39% of the state is abnormally dry, down 13.37% from 4 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       1260  130.0-140.0 133.65 F.O.B.                         
 Large Square 3x4       800       120.0   120    F.O.B.-    Covered     Old Crop
                                                 Feedlot

Alfalfa Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            650   150.0-170.0 157.69 F.O.B.                         
 Large Square 3x4       250       150.0   150    F.O.B.                         

Alfalfa Premium Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       32        175.0   175    F.O.B.-    Covered     Old Crop
                                                 Dairy

Alfalfa Utility Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       500       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 Square 3x4       50        150.0   150    F.O.B.     Covered     Old Crop

Grass Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            402   150.0-160.0 151.49 F.O.B.                         

Grass Premium Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            300       170.0   170    F.O.B.