Missouri Weekly Hay Summary and Fescue Seed Report Week ending 6/24/11

Progress in the hay fields moved along this week with the southern
counties starting on the second cutting of alfalfa.  Grass hay looks
to be about 55% complete, ahead of last year and on average. 
Most counties got some much needed rain keeping our pastures
in mostly good condition. While the rain was welcome in most areas, 
the swelling Missouri River is weighing heavily on the minds of many.
Supply moderate and demand light. Hay prices are steady to firm. 
Missouri Department of Agriculture has a hay directory available for 
both buyers and sellers. To be listed, or for a directory, visit 
http://mda.mo.gov/abd/haydirectory/ or for current listings of hay 
http://agebb.missouri.edu/haylst/ (All prices f.o.b. and per ton unless 
specified and on most recent reported sales prices listed as round bales 
based generally on 5x6 bales with weights of approximately 1200-1500 lbs)

Supreme quality Alfalfa (RFV>185) 150.00-180.00; Premium quality Alfalfa 
(RFV170-180) 140.00-160.00; Fair to Good quality Alfalfa (RFV130-170) 
large round bales 75.00-120.00; Small and Large squares 90.00-140.00 
Good quality mixed Alfalfa and grass small square bales 3.50-5.00 per 
bale; 30.00-60.00 per large round bale. Good to Premium quality Prairie 
hay mostly small squares 80.00-120.00; Fair to Good quality Prairie hay 
mostly large round bales 35.00-75.00. Good to Premium quality Brome 
100.00-150.00; Good quality Brome 60.00-120.00; Fair quality Brome some
mixed with grass 25.00-50.00 per large round bale. Good to Premium Mixed 
Grass hay 60.00-100.00; Good quality Mixed Grass hay 40.00-70.00; Fair to 
Good quality Mixed Grass hay 20.00-40.00 per large round bale. Good 
quality Bermuda grass 80.00-120.00 per ton. Premium to Supreme Quality 
Timothy 5.00-6.50 per small square bale. Good quality Timothy Hay 3.50-
5.00 per small square bale. Wheat straw 2.00-5.00 per small square bale. 

Missouri Regional Fescue Seed Prices 

   Fescue season is well underway throughout the state. Many producers 
got seed in windrows a week or two ago when weather was nice and now 
finding grass growing up the swaths as they try to harvest. Most others 
in the areas where seed is stump cut are running now as well. Harvest for 
this year is expected to be very light with perhaps 20 million lbs being 
optimistic. Many farmers have chosen to make hay and rebuild supplies 
rather than waiting to cut seed.  Those factors combined with poor 
weather for seed production earlier this year and lack of fertilizer in 
many areas has the outlook for even an average harvest appearing pretty 
slim.  High prices for other traditional grains like corn and beans also 
took a fair chunk of acres out of fescue production this year as well. 
Fescue harvest has always been a wait, wait, go, and done type of event 
in Missouri and its expected by this time next week much of harvest will 
be completed.   

(Dry: Moisture 12-14% - Wet: Moisture greater than 14%)  (Prices per lb.) 
Southwest, Northeast, Central, South Central, Northwest, 
and Southeast: .32 wet, .35 dry;

Source: MO Dept of Ag-USDA Market News Service, Jefferson City, MO
        Sarah Wilkinson, Market Reporter, 573-751-5618
        24 Hour Recorded Report 1-573-522-9244
        www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/JC_GR310.txt

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