Hay prices lower than 2008 

According to NASS, the April mid-month prices for baled alfalfa hay for the U.S. are $133 per ton, down $24 from the same time in 2008. The per-ton price and the change from last year for selected Western states are as follows: Arizona $155, down $23; California $129, down $83; Colorado $165, up $18; Idaho $150, down $11; Nevada $196, up $16; New Mexico $165, up $4; Oregon $135, down $41; Utah $150, no change; and Washington $160, no change.

California milk production is steady to often lower. In the more southern milk-producing areas, the milk flow is declining. Often, feeding changes and declines in cows in milk are the major factors. Many dairies are cautiously watching the bottom line and keeping feed costs as tight as possible. Processing plants are seeing less milk.

Some wet weather has been common over coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest. It has also been showery east of the mountains. Pastures are hard to manage along the coast when it is this wet. Grazing cuts up the fields and equipment cannot be used to clip the growth until it gets past ideal maturity. Most areas indicate that the cool wet spring is slowing field work and crop growth. Hay cutting is generally behind normal schedules.

Plants are indicating that there is not as much milk in the system as anticipated.

Heifer prices at a monthly sale in the region are from $50-100 higher than last month with good buyer interest and quality noted. Prices averaged $1,300-1,500 with some as high as $1,550.

Contacts are indicating that the crop and planting situation in Utah and Idaho is slower than average also. Generally, they see the advantages of the moisture outweighing the problems caused by the delays due to rain and cool temperatures. Old-crop hay supplies are cleaning up very well and new-crop availability is expected by the end of the month for the earliest-maturing areas of the Tri-Cities region.

Many contacts are unsure how much impact the CWT program will have in the region. Some plants are expecting much more impact than in the previous six rounds.

Heifer prices at one weekly sale in the region have dropped substantially in the past few weeks. The top price is down to $1,500 and the average is $1,360. Prices this low have not been seen since early March. PD