Greeley, CO    Thu Dec 27, 2007    USDA-CO Dept of Ag Market News

   Compared to last week:  All classes of Alfalfa and grass hay were steady this
holiday shortened week.  Trading activity was slow to very slow.  Only limited
amounts of hay remain up for sale, with dairy quality Alfalfa in short supply
throughout the state.  Demand moderate to good.  Much of state received several
inches to as much as a foot of new snow this week.
   State wide snow pack figures continue to be above normal, with the state
average being 105 percent.  Yampa and White 84 percent, Colorado 103 percent,
North Platte 85 percent, South Platte 88 percent, Arkansas 116 percent, Upper
Rio Grande 140 percent, Gunnison 117 percent, and (San Miguel, Dolores, Animas,
San Juan) 129 percent.
   Quoted prices are dollars per ton and FOB stack unless otherwise noted.  FOB
relates to prices of hay at the edge of field or at the stack.  Delivered prices
relate to final cost of hay delivered to user including freight to the dairy,
feedlot, broker, auction, or ranch.  Delivered prices include all transportation
and handling fees, which vary based on distance of haul and other factors.
Ground and delivered prices include cost of processing as well as delivery to
the feedlot or Dairy.  Prices are from the most recent sales.  

Northeast Colorado Areas
   Alfalfa:  Supreme Large Bales 160.00.  Premium Large Bales 150.00-155.00,
155.00-170.00 delivered.  Good Large Bales 120.00-130.00, 135.00-145.00
delivered; Small Squares 150.00-170.00 (4.00-5.00 per bale).  Fair Large Bales
100.00-115.00.  Utility Large Bales 70.00-75.00, 80.00-100.00 delivered.
   Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Premium Small Squares 225.00-250.00 (6.25-7.00 per bale).
   Grass:  Premium Large Bales 165.00 delivered; Small Squares 215.00-245.00
(6.50-7.50 per bale), 230.00-250.00 delivered (7.75-8.75 per bale).
   Oat Hay:  Large Bales 100.00-120.00, 140.00-145.00 delivered.
   Millet:  Large Bales 70.00-85.00.
   Straw:  Large Bales 60.00-70.00.
   Cornstalks:  Large Bales 65.00-75.00 delivered.

Southeast Colorado Areas
   Alfalfa:  Premium Large Bales 140.00-150.00.  Good Large Bales 105.00-
120.00, Small Squares 150.00-155.00 (4.50-5.00 per bale).  Fair Large Bales
80.00-100.00, 110.00-130.00 delivered.  Utility Large Bales 70.00-80.00, 90.00-
95.00 delivered.  Ground and delivered 100.00-110.00, with instances on long
haul 120.00-125.00.
   Grass:  Premium Small Squares 165.00 (5.00 per bale).
   Sudan:  Large Bales 75.00.

San Luis Valley Area
   Alfalfa:  Supreme Small Squares 290.00 (8.00 per bale).  Premium Large
Bales 150.00-160.00, Small Squares 200.00-235.00 (6.00-7.00 per bale).  Good
Large Bales 120.00-140.00.  Good to Fair Large Bales 100.00-120.00.  Utility
Large Bales 85.00.
   Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Premium Large Bales 160.00, Small Squares 180.00-200.00
(5.50-6.00 per bale).
   Grass:  Good to Premium Small Squares 180.00 (5.50 per bale).
   Oat Hay:  Large Bales 100.00-105.00, 140.00 delivered.

Southwest Colorado Areas
   Alfalfa:  Premium Large Bales 145.00-150.00, instances 165.00, Small
Squares 255.00-290.00 (6.00-8.00 per bale).  Good Large Bales 125.00-140.00,
Small Squares 180.00-220.00 (5.00-6.00 per bale).  Utility Large Bales 75.00-
80.00.
   Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Premium Small Squares 230.00-235.00 (7.00 per bale).
   Grass:  Premium Small Squares 165.00-220.00 (5.00-7.00 per bale).
   Cornstalks:  Large Bales 75.00.

Mountains and Northwest Colorado Areas
   Grass:  Premium Small Squares 200.00-220.00 (6.25-6.50 per bale).  Good to
Premium Large Bales 150.00-165.00.  Good Small Squares 160.00-200.00 (5.00-
5.50 per bale).  Fair to Good Large Bales 120.00-150.00.  Fair Small Squares
150.00-175.00 (4.25-4.50 per bale).  Utility Large Bales 80.00-90.00.

Contracted Hay, Haylage, and Corn Silage
   Northeast Colorado Areas
   FOB/Del    Total Price      Tons      Hay Type    Bale Size    RFV/DM/NEL
   Del       130.00-132.50    200-500    Alfalfa     4×4x8        Grinder
   FOB          150.00                   Grass       4×4x8 

Contracted Hay, Haylage, and Corn Silage
   Southeast Colorado Areas
   FOB/Del    Total Price      Tons      Hay Type    Bale Size    RFV/DM/NEL
   Del          115.00        2 years    Alfalfa     3×4x8        Grinder
   Del           90.00                   Alfalfa     4×4x8        Grinder

   Contracts are not indicative to other regions of the state and do not
pertain to the cash market.  The term “Season” Means that as long as the hay
meets the contract requirements the buyer takes delivery on every cutting in
that particular year.  All contracts are marketed on a per ton basis.  Prices
figured on a per ton basis or a per point basis (.xx times the RFV).
   * - When priced on a per point basis.
   * - NEL basis for corn silage

   Haylage is based on 88 percent dry matter.  Haylage formula most often used
(Haylage wet ton x percent dry matter/88 percent = 12 percent baled hay).
Haylage to be cut on an approximate 28 to 32 day cutting rotation.  Quoted
standing in the field.  

    Corn Silage 30-32 percent dry matter.  Based at .70 to .72 net energy for
lactation (NEL).  Silage can be quoted standing in the field or delivered to
the pit.  

** All information is a basis for every contract and applies unless otherwise
stated**

Alfalfa  guidelines (domestic livestock use and not more than 10 pct grass)
Quality       ADF      NDF       RFV       TDN-100 pct    TDN-90 pct    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 WI/MN formula.  TDN calculated using the western
formula.  Quantitative factors are approximate and many factors can affect
feeding value.  Values based on 100 pct dry matter.

   Quantitative factors are approximate, and many factors can affect feeding
value.  Values based on 100 pct dry matter.  End usage may influence hay price
or value more than testing results. 

   Grass Hay guidelines
Quality       Crude Protein Percent
Premium            Over 13
Good                  9-13
Fair                   5-9
Utility            Under 5

Source:  USDA-CO Dept of Ag Market News - Greeley, CO
         Russ Travelute
         Phone (970)353-9750   Broadcast (970)353-8031
         www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/GL_GR310.txt

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