Hay production across the Prairies and the American Plains is spotty.
Low carry out inventories and poor yields of first cuts for this season have resulted in short supplies and increased prices for the packaged forages.
“There are a few spots that have better than average yields, but for the most part the crops are less than average,” said Murray Feist of Saskatchewan Agriculture.
Cool spring weather, spawned by a La Nina, stretched across the continent.
Agrologists said rainfall has improved forage yields in some areas of the western Dakotas, Montana, southern Saskatchewan and the regions bordering the Rocky Mountains.
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The Idaho Forage Association is reporting dairy quality alfalfa prices above $220 per short ton. Prices are also up in Canada.
Saskatchewan producers are reported to be paying $100 per ton for average to slightly better than average alfalfa and brome hay.
However, July rain that improved pastures and tame crop yields are reducing the quality of the existing crop.
“From observation, and that is what we have to work with right now, it appears that about one-third of the alfalfa was put up in good condition. One-third is out there being rained on and is deteriorating and one-third is standing, is in full bloom and losing value,” Feist said. “Livestock producers that normally purchase some feed might want to start looking sooner rather than later this year.”
Hay & pasture listing services
What: Saskatchewan feed grain & forage listing
URL: www.agr.gov.sk.ca/apps/feedforage
Details: Maintained by Saskatchewan Agriculture. It provides a free space for producers to submit or search for baled or standing forage and feed grains. Also provides maps of available listings by product, including baled forage, standing forage, other feed and custom service availability.
What: Alberta Agriculture hay, straw & pasture listing
URL: www.agric.gov.ab.ca/app68/hay
DETAILS: Maintained by Alberta Agriculture. Free listings include baled and standing hay, straw and pasture (for sale, rent or lease).
WHAT: Manitoba Agriculture hay, pasture & boarding listing services
URL: web2.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/haysearch/
www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/news/pasturelist/pasture_list.html
www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/news/pasturelist/boarding_list.html
DETAILS: All sites maintained by Manitoba Agriculture. Hay Search provides a listing of hay and straw for sale in Manitoba. Listings may be searched according to forage quality. Pasture List provides a list of pasture for rent in Manitoba. Boarding List provides a list of cattle boarding and calf share-cropping.
WHAT: Montana hay hotline
URL: agr.mt.gov/crops/hayFirst.asp
Details: Provides a listing of available forage by county. Maintained by the Montana Department of Agriculture.
WHAT: North Dakota State University (NDSU) feed list
URL: www.ag.ndsu.edu/feedlist/
DETAILS: Maintained by NDSU’s Agriculture and University Extension Department, provides a free listing of available forages in North Dakota.
WHAT: South Dakota feed finder
URL: sdces.sdstate.edu:8080/FeedFinder
DETAILS: This site provides a listing of forage products including baled hay, standing forage, pasture and silage. Maintained by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture at South Dakota State University.
WHAT: Need Feed
URL: www.needfeed.com
DETAILS: This is a non-profit website maintained by volunteers to provide horse owners, livestock and feed producers affected by a feed shortage with a site to communicate and assist each other. Provides information to farm communities across Canada where feed, pasture, boarding and transportation is required as well as where it is available.
WHAT: A.J. Bat hay listing
URL: www.ajbat.com/bidform/add_listings/hay_add.cfm
DETAILS: Subscription service to an on-line market where buyers and sellers can conduct business. There is a $99.00/year fee (plus taxes) for this service, also provides daily updates on market changes.
All of the above listings are available on the Saskatchewan Forage Council website at
www.saskforage.ca. Click on “links” and choose the forage and pasture listing category.
– Source: Saskatchewan Forage Council
