Some Hay Prices Appear Past Peak

Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM

High-quality alfalfa hay prices have moderated in some states in recent weeks, although they've held steady in most and increased slightly in a few. Overall trading activity has slowed, in part because supplies are mostly depleted.

These prices were gathered by USDA in early December. Figures followed by (D) are delivered prices. All others are at the farm. Cube and pellet prices are for bulk sales.

For weekly updated hay prices, go to “USDA Hay Prices” at hayandforage.com

Horse-quality alfalfa hay:	Price/ton
California (southern)	$255-270	(D)
Kansas (southwestern)	250-275
Kansas (northeastern)	165-200
Montana	200-205
Nevada	160-200
Oregon (Crook County)	220-250
Utah	180-225
Washington (Columbia Basin)	200-240
Premium-quality alfalfa hay:	Price/ton
California (northern)	$258	(D)
California (central)	185-210	(D)
California (southern)	170
Colorado (southwestern)	180-290
Colorado (northeastern)	160-275
Kansas (southwestern)	170-185
Kansas (northeastern)	160-180
Minnesota (southwestern)	128
Minnesota (Sauk Centre)	190-215
Missouri	150-175
Montana	115-130
Nebraska (northeastern)	170-200
Nebraska (western)	135-145
Nevada	185-200
Oklahoma	165-195
Oregon (Lake County)	220
South Dakota (east river)	175-180
South Dakota (western)	85-120
Texas (panhandle)	200-270	(D)
Texas (eastern)	230-260	(D)
Utah	175
Virginia	185
Washington (Columbia Basin)	235
Wyoming	140-175
Good-quality alfalfa hay:	Price/ton
California (northern)	$185
California (central)	163	(D)
Colorado (northeastern)	150-200
Colorado (southwestern)	170-220
Iowa (central)	80-170
Iowa (Rock Valley)	98-113
Kansas (southwestern)	150-175
Kansas (northeastern)	130-150
Minnesota (Sauk Centre)	170-203
Missouri	100-160
Nebraska (western)	110-130
Oklahoma	130-160
South Dakota (east river)	135-150
South Dakota (western)	75-90
Texas (panhandle)	170-230	(D)
Utah	125
Washington (Columbia Basin)	180
Wyoming	120-140
Fair-quality alfalfa hay:	Price/ton
California (northern)	$140-200
Colorado (northeastern)	130-140	(D)
Colorado (southwestern)	160-170
Idaho	130-140
Kansas (southwestern)	125-140
Nevada	140
Nebraska (western)	95-110
Oklahoma	100-125
Oregon (eastern)	140
South Dakota (western)	65
Wyoming	98-110
Bromegrass hay:	Price/ton
Kansas	$85-120
Missouri (good to premium)	90-150
Oat hay:	Price/ton
California (northern)	$190
California (central)	240
Colorado (northeastern)	115-125
Oregon	150
South Dakota (western)	75
Orchardgrass hay:	Price/ton
California (northern)	$260
California (central)	310
Virginia	83
Timothy hay:	Price/ton
California (southern)	$405
Montana (premium)	180-200
Nevada (premium)	335
Oregon	210-245
Washington (Columbia Basin)	260-265
Straw:	Price/ton
Colorado (northeastern)	$75-80	(D)
Iowa (Rock Valley)	68
Kansas (south central)	55-60
Montana	40-80
Nebraska (western)	50-55
South Dakota (east river)	65-80
Wyoming	60
17% Dehy alfalfa pellets:	Price/ton
Kansas	$240
Nebraska	220-225
Wyoming	190	(D)
15% Suncured alfalfa pellets:	Price/ton
Kansas	$180-195
South Dakota	170
Wyoming	140
Alfalfa cubes:	Price/ton
Utah (export)	$190-200
Wyoming	190	(D)