Weekly Hay Auction Report

Iowa Hay Summary    Week Ending  August 24, 2018

This weeks lower prices were reflective of the poorer quality hay and straw that was being sold.  Iowa producers could not catch a break and again most of the hay was wet when it was baled.  Top of the line dairy hay, both cow and goat, was being brought in from out of state.  Small square bales were scarce as this size of packaging appeared to be bought straight out of the field rather than hauled to a public sale.

Rock Valley Hay Auction for Thursday, Aug 23, 2018

Receipts:  95 loads    Last Week:  84 loads    Last Year:  82 loads

Alfalfa:  Premium:  Large Squares, 2 loads 165.00-170.00.  Good: Large Squares, 2 loads 145.00-150.00; Large Rounds, 3 loads 145.00- 152.50.  Fair:  Large Rounds, 11 loads 120.00-135.00.  Utility: Large Squares, 2 loads 100.00-112.50; Large Rounds, 13 loads 62.50-115.00.

Grass:  Premium:  Large Rounds, 3 loads 140.00-150.00.  Good:  Large Rounds, 6 loads 120.00-137.50; Small Squares, 1 load 142.50.  Fair: Large Rounds, 29 loads 90.00-117.50.  Utility: Large Rounds, 9 loads 70.00-82.50.

Alfalfa/Grass Mixed:  Fair: Large Squares, 1 load 120.00; Large Squares, 1 load 122.50.  Utility to Fair:  Large Rounds, 3 loads 82.50 -87.50; Small Squares, 1 load 80.00.

Straw:  Large Squares, 1 load 105.00; Large Rounds, 2 loads 102.50- 110.00.

Cornstalks:  Large Rounds, 3 loads 57.50-60.00.

Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index Rises for August

August Survey Results at a Glance:
*  For a seventh straight month the overall index rose above growth neutral.
*  Bankers reported a decline in the sale of agriculture equipment and expect sales to decline by another 7.8 percent over the next 12 months.
*  More than one-half of bankers supported cutting recently enacted tariffs.
*  In reaction to weak farm commodity prices and income, almost one-third of bank CEOs reported rejecting a higher percentage of farm loans.

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Iowa Cow Numbers Steady; Per Cow Production Up 10 Pounds Over 2017

Milk production in Iowa during July 2018 totaled 443 million pounds, up 2 percent from the previous July according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during July, at 220,000 head, was unchanged from last month but 3,000 more than last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,015 pounds, up 10 pounds from last July.

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Weekly Hay Auction Report

Rock Valley Hay Auction for Thursday, Aug 16, 2018

Receipts:  84 loads    Last Week:  78 loads    Last Year:  86 loads

Alfalfa:  Premium:  Large Rounds, 1 load 152.50.  Good:  Large Squares, 5 loads 130.00-147.50; Large Rounds, 3 loads 127.50-137.50. Fair:  Large Squares, 2 loads 120.00-125.00; Large Rounds, 14 loads 112.50-125.00.  Utility: Large Rounds, 7 loads 102.50-110.00.

Grass:  Premium:  Large Rounds, 2 loads 132.50-145.00.  Good:  Large Squares, 1 load 130.00; Large Rounds, 12 loads 115.00-127.50.  Fair: Large Rounds, 17 loads 90.00-110.00.  Utility: Large Squares, 1 load 80.00.

Alfalfa/Grass Mixed:  Good: Large Squares, 1 load 132.50.  Fair: Large Rounds, 2 loads 100.00-112.50.  Utility:  Large Rounds, 1 load 75.00.

Straw:  Large Squares, 3 loads 82.50-100.00; Large Rounds, 8 loads 72.500-100.00.

Cornstalks:  Large Rounds, 4 loads 37.50-50.00.

Weekly Hay Auction Report

Rock Valley Hay Auction for Thursday, Aug 9, 2018

Receipts:  78 loads    Last Week:  90 loads    Last Year:  86 loads

Alfalfa:  Good:  Large Squares, 2 loads 137.50-145.00.  Fair:  Large Squares, 3 loads 117.50-125.00; Large Rounds, 11 loads 115.00-130.00. Utility: Large Rounds, 3 loads 75.00-107.50, 1 load very poor 40.00.

Grass:  Good:  Small Squares, 1 load 145.00; Large Rounds, 15 loads 117.50-137.50.  Fair: Large Rounds, 18 loads 87.50-110.00.  Utility: Large Rounds, 6 loads 60.00-80.00.

Alfalfa/Grass Mixed:  Good: Large Rounds, 1 load 130.00.

Straw:  Large Squares, 8 loads 87.50-100.0; Large Rounds, 4 loads 100.00-105.00.

Cornstalks:  Large Rounds, 5 loads 35.00-50.00, mostly 47.50-50.00.

Details Of Dairy Revenue Protection Insurance Plan Announced

On August 8, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced a new insurance plan for dairy producers that insures against unexpected declines in quarterly milk sales. Sign-up for the new product begins Tuesday, October 9,2018, with the first available coverage starting the first quarter of 2019.

“Expanding the Federal crop insurance program to markets that need it is key to an effective farm safety net. Because of cooperation with partners like the American Farm Bureau Federation, we are able to offer this new product in a way that it can be flexible based on the needs of dairy producers,”said Bill Northey, Under Secretary, Farm Production and Conservation.

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