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USDA Montana Hay 02/20 13:50
AMS_2769
Montana Direct Hay Report
Released on February 20, 2026
Direct Hay Weighted Average Report for week ending 02/20/2026
VOLUME
This Week Last Reported Last Year
(02/02/2026)
Tons:
Hay 760 1200 1075
Straw 175
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Total 760 1375 1075
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Compared to last report(2-06-26): Hay sold mostly steady.
Hay supplies in central Montana continue to tighten as hay is being purchased
to ship north along the highline and west to ranches in drought
stricken areas.
Many are buying hay in these areas as insurance in case the open, dry
winter turns into an all out extreme drought.
Cattlemen have a lot of cash tied up in new cow purchases or in replacement
heifers and don't want to have to sell if drought conditions push
hay prices sharply higher.
Many producers still have cows out grazing which has drastically reduced
the use of hay this winter but hay supplies have tightened as ranchers
buy up hay to store and use if needed.
Due to tight irrigation last summer and dry conditions, hay along the
highline has been in tight supply.
Many producers are purchasing hay in Central Montana to ship north.
Delivered prices remain north of $200/ton with most sales ranging from
210.00-235.00.
Hay in rounds remains tight and hay continues to sell at a strong 10.00-20.00
premium to hay in squares.
A few loads of Dairy hay moved this week but demand for dairy quality
hay has been light.
Hay from Billings east has been a harder sell as other competing feed
options have allowed ranchers to keep feed costs low.
Many producers still have excess grain hay they need to sell and last
late fall rains turned tons of malt barley into feed barely.
Some of this is being offered from $2.25-2.60/bushel.
According to the drought monitor 53.57 of the state is in Moderate drought
or worse, up 22.28% from 2 weeks ago.
13.22% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, up 3.52% from 2
weeks ago.
4.17% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, up 2.71% from 2 weeks ago.
0% of the state is in Expectational drought, unchanged from 2 weeks ago.
Notably, 90.05% of the state is abnormally dry, up 26.78% from 2 weeks ago.
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N/A
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Hay Conventional
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Alfalfa Fair Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Square 3x4 500 135.0 135 F.O.B.
Alfalfa Supreme Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Square 3x4 80 170.0 170 F.O.B.-
Dairy
Alfalfa Utility Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Square 3x4 80 85.0 85 F.O.B. Old Crop
Grass Fair Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Round 100 125.0 125 F.O.B.
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