USDA Montana Hay                                   03/06 14:50
AMS_2769
 
Montana Direct Hay Report

                               Released on March 06, 2026
 
Direct Hay Weighted Average Report for week ending 03/06/2026
 
                                      VOLUME
                    This Week         Last Reported         Last Year
                                       (02/16/2026)
Tons:
      Hay           1933                760                 430                 
      Straw         12                                                          
----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total         1945                760                 430                 
======================================================================

Compared to last report(2-20-26): Hay sold mostly steady to 10.00 higher.
Hay supplies in central and western Montana are very tight and have tightened 
even more since the last report.
Some ranchers are buying hay as insurance due to drought concerns while 
others are buying hay to make it to grass.
With both types of buying seen over the last few weeks this has tightened 
supplies further.
Hay to ship north along the highline is being delivered mostly from 
215.00-245.00/ton, 
a slight increase from last report.
Freight costs are also increasing due to the sharp increase in fuel prices 
over the last week.
Many ranchers are trying to expand herds but are worried about hay supplies 
and higher inputs going forward.
Hay supplies in rounds remains tight.
Some producers are already talking about 2026 contracts as drought concerns 
weigh on everyone's minds, however no offers or contracts have 
been established as of this writing.
According to the drought monitor 66.73 of the state is in Moderate drought 
or worse, up 13.16% from 2 weeks ago.
19.70% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, up 6.48% from 2 
weeks ago.
4.17% 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, 94.79% of the state is abnormally dry, up 4.74% from 2 weeks ago.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hay Conventional
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfalfa Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       90        145.0   145    F.O.B.                         

Alfalfa Good Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            600       150.0   150    F.O.B.                         
 Large Square 3x4       200       170.0   170    F.O.B.-                        
                                                 Stables
 Small Square           13        240.0   240    F.O.B.                         

Alfalfa Utility/Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            1000      125.0   125    F.O.B.-                Old Crop
                                                 Feedlot

Alfalfa/Grass Mix Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            30        140.0   140    F.O.B.                         


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Straw Conventional
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barley  Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Round                  12        60.0    60     F.O.B.