USDA Texas Hay                                     05/17 10:10
AM_GR310        
Amarillo, TX       Fri  May 17, 2013    USDA Market News

Weekly Texas Hay Report 
 
  Compared to last week:  Alfalfa hay prices mostly firm to 5.00 higher as it 
becomes scarce and more attention is turned to wheat hay.  Wheat hay prices 
have 
a wide price spread mainly due to amount of protein and freight.  Trade 
activity 
was light to moderate on moderate demand.  The normal warm May temperatures 
have 
resumed this week with no freezes in sight however most of the damage has 
already been done to wheat crops.  Most areas remain dry and supplemental 
feeding of livestock continues.  Many livestock producers are reducing herds as 
grazing conditions deteriorate.
 
Prices for hay and pellets quoted per ton except where noted.

The Texas Department of Agriculture has Hay and Grazing Hot Line set up for 
Buyers and sellers looking for hay or grazing; the number is 1-877-429-1998.   
The website for the hotline is: www.TexasAgricultue.gov/hayhotline

Panhandle/High Plains:
   Alfalfa: Small Squares: Delivered: Good to Premium 9.00-11.00 per bale, 
300.00-330.00, few sales New Crop 355.00. 
   Large Bales: Delivered: Premium to Supreme 280.00-320.00, New Crop 255.00-
285.00. Good to Premium 260.00-280.00; Fair to Good 225.00-260.00.   
   Small Bales: FOB: Premium to Supreme 11.00-12.00 per bale.
   Large Bales: FOB: limited test: New-Crop - Premium to Supreme 280.00; Good 
to 
Premium 250.00-270.00. 
   Chopped Alfalfa: Delivered to feedlots: North: 255.00-265.00.  South: 
265.00-275.00, calf hay 275.00-285.00. 
   Wheat Hay: Large Bales: Delivered: 120.00-175.00. 
   Coastal Bermuda Hay: Large Bales: Delivered: 180.00. Small Bales: Delivered: 
Good to Premium 10.50 per bale. 
   Triticale Hay: Large Bales: Delivered:  175.00.
   Corn Stalks: Large Bales: Delivered: 90.00.
   CRP Hay: Large Bales: Delivered: 80.00.
       
Far West Texas/Trans Pecos: 
   Alfalfa: Small Squares: FOB: Premium to Supreme 280.00-330.00, 8.00-10.50 
per bale. 
   Large squares: FOB:  Premium to Supreme 240.00-245.00. Mid-square: 270.00  
Good quality 200.00.
   
North, Central, and East Texas:
   Alfalfa:  Small Squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme limited test 8.00-
12.00 per bale. 
   Large Squares: Delivered: Premium to Supreme 270.00-300.00, New Crop 255.00; 
Good to Premium 260.00-270.00. 
   Wheat Hay: Large Bales: 130.00-150.00.
   Coastal Bermuda: Small Squares: FOB: Good to Premium 230.00-265.00, 6.00-
8.00 per bale, Fair to Good 5.00-6.00 per bale. 
   Large Rounds: FOB: Good to Premium 50.00-90.00; 100.00-180.00 per ton, 
Good 40.00-50.00 per roll, 100.00-120.00 per ton; Fair 40.00 per roll. 
   
South Texas:
   Coastal Bermuda: Small Squares: FOB: Good to Premium 230.00-265.00, 7.00-
8.00 per bale; Fair to Good 165.00-230.00, 5.00-7.00 per bale.
   Large Rounds: FOB and delivered locally: Good to Premium 120.00-180.00; 
60.00-90.00 per roll, Good 50.00-60.00 per roll, 100.00-120.00 per ton. 

   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
Utility             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 Designation's 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 stemmed, 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 Market News Service, Amarillo, TX
         806/372-6361 - amarillo.lgmn@ams.usda.gov
         USDA 24 hour price information 806-372-3494  
         www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/AM_GR310.txt
         www.ams.usda.gov/lsmarketnews  

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