USDA IA & NE Hay                                   04/02 15:01
WH_GR310  
Kearney, NE    Thu Apr 02, 2020    USDA-NE Dept of Ag Market News

Nebraska Hay Summary - Week Ending April 03, 2020

  Compared to last week, alfalfa, grass hay, ground and delivered hay 
sold steady. Dehy alfalfa pellets sold steady. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets 
in the east sold steady, Platte Valley 20.00 higher. Buyer inquiry 
improved in the last seven days especially, from feedlots snooping around 
for grinding type forages. With ethanol plants cutting back on production 
due to low fuel prices. Limited amounts of distillers is going out the 
door to feedlots. Some feedlots have switched to alfalfa pellets to help 
with protein sources in feed rations. Typical spring time weather across 
the state the first few days of April. Sunny and warm to cold, icy and 
snowy then a nice warm up by Saturday. Some farmers have been strip 
tilling across the region getting ready for spring planting. Some 
contacts are going to seed new fields of alfalfa this spring. Note: All 
sales are dollars per ton FOB the field or hay barn, unless otherwise 
noted. 

Eastern/Central Nebraska
Alfalfa: Fair large squares 100.00. Fair to mostly good large rounds 
80.00-95.00. Prairie Hay: Good large rounds 80.00-90.00. Premium small 
squares 170.00-180.00. Cane large rounds 60.00-65.00. Cornstalks large 
rounds 40.00. Dehy alfalfa pellets 17 percent 320.00-330.00. Sun-cured 
pellets 15 percent 300.00.
 
Platte Valley area of Nebraska
Alfalfa: Good large rounds 90.00. Ground and delivered alfalfa 130.00-
135.00. Ground and delivered alfalfa/cornstalk mix 105.00-110.00. 
Ground and delivered cornstalks 75.00-90.00. Dehy alfalfa pellets 17 
percent protein 270.00-285.00; Sun-cured alfalfa 15 percent protein 
285.00.

Western Nebraska
Alfalfa: Fair large squares 155.00. Millet in large squares 85.00. 
Cornstalks large squares 75.00 delivered. Ground and delivered alfalfa 
153.00-158.00.
==================================================================
Table 1: Alfalfa guidelines (for domestic livestock use and not more
         than 10% grass)

 Quality     ADF     NDF      *RFV     **TDN-100%   **TDN-90%     CP
Supreme      <27     <34       >185        >62         >55.9     >22
Premium    27-29   34-36    170-185    60.5-62     54.5-55.9   20-22
Good       29-32   36-40    150-170      58-60     52.5-54.5   18-20
Fair       32-35   40-44    130-150      56-58     50.5-52.5   16-18
Utility      >35     >44       <130        <56         <50.5     <16

*RFV calculated using the Wis/Minn formula.
**TDN calculated using the western formula.
   Quantitative factors are approximate, and many factors can affect 
feeding value. Values based on 100 % dry matter (TDN showing both 100% & 
90%).  Guidelines are to be used with visual appearance and intent of 
Sale (usage).
=====================================================================
Table 2: Grass Hay guidelines

         Quality            Crude Protein Percent
          Premium             Over 13
          Good                   9-13
          Fair                   5-9
          Low                Under 5

  Quantitative factors are approximate, and many factors can affect 
feeding value. Values based on 100% dry matter. End usage may influence 
hay price or value more than testing results.
=====================================================================
Hay Quality Designations physical descriptions:

Supreme: Very early maturity, pre bloom, soft fine stemmed, extra 
   leafy.  Factors indicative of very high nutritive content. 
         Hay is excellent color and free of damage.

Premium: Early maturity, i.e., pre-bloom in legumes and pre head in
         grass hays, extra leafy and fine stemmed-factors indicative 
         of a high nutritive content.  Hay is green and free of   
         damage.

Good:    Early to average maturity, i.e., early to mid-bloom in 
         Legumes and early head in grass hays, leafy, fine to medium  
         stems and free of damage other than slight discoloration.
 
Fair:    Late maturity, i.e., mid to late-bloom in legumes, head-in 
         grass hays, moderate or below leaf content, and generally 
         coarse stemmed. Hay may show light damage.

Utility: Hay in very late maturity, such as mature seed pods in 
         Legumes or mature head in grass hays, coarse stemmed. This 
         Category could include hay discounted due to excessive 
         damage and heavy weed content or mold. Defects will be 
         identified in market reports when using this category.
=====================================================================

Source:  USDA NE Dept of Ag Market News Service, Kearney, NE 
         Thomas Walthers, OIC (308) 390-5399
         Website: www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/wh_gr310.txt
                  www.ams.usda.gov/lpsmarketnewspage
         Email: Thomas.walthers@ams.usda.gov  

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