Prices Are High But Steady

Nov 1, 2007 12:00 PM

Prices for high-quality alfalfa hay haven't changed much in recent weeks as overall movement has slowed. Available supplies have nearly disappeared in some states; in other cases, growers are holding onto their hay expecting prices to go even higher this winter.

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

For weekly updated hay prices, go to “USDA Hay Prices” in HayandForage.com

Horse-quality alfalfa hay:	Price/ton
California (northern)	$220	(D)
Colorado (southwestern)	200-250
Illinois (Arthur)	230-270	(D)
Idaho	135-160
Kansas (southwestern)	150-200
Kansas (southeastern)	155-160
Montana	120-130
Nebraska (western)	150
Oregon (Crook County)	160-180
Oregon (Klamath Basin)	150-190
Texas (panhandle)	180-250	(D)
Utah	125-180
Washington (Columbia Basin)	150-175
Premium-quality alfalfa hay:	Price/ton
California (northern)	$200-210	(D)
California (central)	210	(D)
California (southern)	195
Colorado (northeastern)	150-160
Colorado (southwestern)	145-165
Idaho	140-145
Illinois (northern)	145-180
Illinois (southern)	140-180
Iowa (central)	100-150
Iowa (Maurice)	100-110
Kansas (southwestern)	135-150
Kansas (northwestern)	125-135
Missouri	140-175
Montana	108
Nebraska (western)	118-120
Nebraska (northeastern)	125-145
Nevada (western)	160-180
New Mexico (eastern)	180-190
New Mexico (southwestern)	170-180
Oklahoma	130-160
Oregon (eastern)	145
Oregon (Lake County)	155-165
South Dakota (western)	90-110
Texas	180-195	(D)
Utah	100-120
Washington (Columbia Basin)	140-165
Wyoming (western)	110-125
Wyoming (eastern)	120-135
Good-quality alfalfa hay:	Price/ton
California (northern)	$190	(D)
California (central)	193-205	(D)
California (southern)	192-195	(D)
Colorado (northeastern)	120-130
Colorado (southwestern)	125-140
Idaho	120-135
Illinois (northern)	130-160
Illinois (southern)	120-150
Kansas (southwestern)	120-135
Kansas (northwestern)	110-125
Montana	80-85
Nebraska (western)	90-125
Nebraska (Platte Valley)	85-115
Nevada (northern)	120
Nevada (western)	150-175
New Mexico (eastern)	140-160
New Mexico (southwestern)	135-150	(D)
Oklahoma	90-130
Oregon (Lake County)	130-150
South Dakota (western)	70-90
Texas (panhandle)	140-180	(D)
Texas (eastern)	150-180	(D)
Utah	100
Washington (Columbia Basin)	140-145
Wyoming (western)	90-110
Wyoming (eastern)	100-124
Fair-quality alfalfa hay:	Price/ton
California (northern)	$180	(D)
California (central)	185-198	(D)
California (southern)	190	(D)
Colorado (southeastern)	85-100
Idaho	110-115
Illinois	100-130
Iowa	60-65
Kansas (southwestern)	95-105
Kansas (northwestern)	80-85
Montana	65-70
Nevada (northern)	120
Nevada (western)	150-160
Oklahoma	65-85
Texas (panhandle)	130-140	(D)
Texas (western)	125-130	(D)
Wyoming (western)	60-85
Straw:	Price/ton
Illinois	$55-80
Iowa (Maurice)	75
Kansas (northeastern)	50-75
Kansas (south central)	45-50
Montana	30-38
Nebraska (western)	40-55
Virginia	90-94
17% Dehy alfalfa pellets:	Price/ton
Nebraska	$180-195
Wyoming	179	(D)
15% Suncured alfalfa pellets:	Price/ton
Kansas	$140-160
Alfalfa cubes:	Price/ton
Utah (export quality)	$150-175
Wyoming	109-120