hay prices this year? MN/ND/SD

[John SD]

Visiting with the neighbor the other day we agreed on $70/ton for alfalfa grass mix bales. Not sure if he wants all of it or not. I might have another customer.

Twine tied 5x5 bales 1300lbs each, 15 bales in a stack. I will deliver for that price. (7 miles)

 

[Stocker Steve]

Just curious Steve, what a creep feeder lease run when they're available? Thanks[/quote]

They were $150 to $250 a year. I think they plan to make a profit on the creep.

 

[Son of Butch]

Hay this side is going cheap, cheap. $60 ton and under for good alfalfa, grass mix. No buyers. Everybody is overloaded with hay.

I expect it will be trucked down here to Minnesota.
Prices from tested hay auction here 9/9/2014

23 tons of med sq timothy/orchard grass/alfalfa hay 15.7% m 14.7% protein 97 rfv $190 ton
12 ton of grass hay 5x4 round bales 16% m 6% protein $90 ton
13 ton of rained on med sq. bales 2nd cut new seeding alfalfa/grass mix 16% m 22% protein 135 rfv $130 ton
Dairy Quality Alfalfa 27 ton, 2nd cut alfalfa, med sq bales 12.2% m 19.4% protein 173 rfv $230 ton

22 ton of wheat straw, roto combine, 3x4 med sq bales $115 ton

 

[Stocker Steve]

There is a price floor for poor hay at the tested hay auction. I think it goes to a pelleting plant where they blend it off.
So if it sells for $90/ton less commission and less trucking - - then what is the on farm price for a producer ?

 

[Son of Butch]

10% commission, so $90 a ton - $9 ton would net $81 ton - $1 ton to test hay = $80 ton
To hire trucking on hay, costs $3.50 - $4.50 a loaded mile depending on load size and distance.
20 ton load trucked 50 miles at $4 a mile = $200 or $10 ton 80-10 = 70
$70 ton net to seller

Buyer pays trucking from auction site...
20 ton load trucked 50 miles at $4 a mile adds $10 a ton to the buyer's cost of purchasing hay.
90 ton + 10 = $100 ton delivered