USDA Montana Hay                                   02/20 13:50
AMS_2769
 
Montana Direct Hay Report

                               Released on February 20, 2026
 
Direct Hay Weighted Average Report for week ending 02/20/2026
 
                                      VOLUME
                    This Week         Last Reported         Last Year
                                       (02/02/2026)
Tons:
      Hay           760                 1200                1075                
      Straw                             175                                     
----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total         760                 1375                1075                
======================================================================

Compared to last report(2-06-26): Hay sold mostly steady.
Hay supplies in central Montana continue to tighten as hay is being purchased 
to ship north along the highline and west to ranches in drought 
stricken areas.
Many are buying hay in these areas as insurance in case the open, dry 
winter turns into an all out extreme drought.
Cattlemen have a lot of cash tied up in new cow purchases or in replacement 
heifers and don't want to have to sell if drought conditions push 
hay prices sharply higher.
Many producers still have cows out grazing which has drastically reduced 
the use of hay this winter but hay supplies have tightened as ranchers 
buy up hay to store and use if needed.
Due to tight irrigation last summer and dry conditions, hay along the 
highline has been in tight supply.
Many producers are purchasing hay in Central Montana to ship north.
Delivered prices remain north of $200/ton with most sales ranging from 
210.00-235.00.
Hay in rounds remains tight and hay continues to sell at a strong 10.00-20.00 
premium to hay in squares.
A few loads of Dairy hay moved this week but demand for dairy quality 
hay has been light.
Hay from Billings east has been a harder sell as other competing feed 
options have allowed ranchers to keep feed costs low.
Many producers still have excess grain hay they need to sell and last 
late fall rains turned  tons of malt barley into feed barely.
Some of this is being offered from $2.25-2.60/bushel.
According to the drought monitor 53.57 of the state is in Moderate drought 
or worse, up 22.28% from 2 weeks ago.
13.22% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, up 3.52% from 2 
weeks ago.
4.17% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, up 2.71% from 2 weeks ago.
0% of the state is in Expectational drought, unchanged from 2 weeks ago.
Notably, 90.05% of the state is abnormally dry, up 26.78% 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       135.0   135    F.O.B.                         

Alfalfa Supreme Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       80        170.0   170    F.O.B.-                        
                                                 Dairy

Alfalfa Utility Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Square 3x4       80        85.0    85     F.O.B.                 Old Crop

Grass Fair Per Ton
                        Qty   Price Range Wtd    Freight/   Description Crop Age
                                          Avg    Use
                        ---   ----------- ---    ---------- ----------- --------
 Large Round            100       125.0   125    F.O.B.