Hay supplies are so tight almost nationwide that fair-quality alfalfa hay is worth almost as much as premium-quality alfalfa was two or three years ago. Some reasonably priced hay still is available, though — check out the prices listed for Iowa, Montana and South Dakota.
The following prices were gathered in mid-February by USDA. Figures followed by (D) are delivered prices. All others are at the farm. Cube and pellet prices are for bulk sales.
| Horse-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado (northeastern) | $215 | |
| Colorado (southwestern) | 255-290 | |
| Kansas | 150-200 | |
| Montana | 200 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 150 | |
| Nevada (western) | 190-200 | |
| Oregon | 140-165 | |
| Utah | 125-180 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 170-180 | |
| Wyoming | 140 | |
| Premium-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $240-248 | (D) |
| California (southern) | 200-220 | |
| Colorado (large squares) | 145-160 | |
| Illinois (northern) | 160-180 | |
| Illinois (southern) | 180-225 | |
| Iowa (central) | 100-150 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 113-130 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 140-150 | |
| Kansas (northwestern) | 125-135 | |
| Minnesota (Sauk Centre) | 235-280 | |
| Missouri | 140-175 | |
| Montana | 130-140 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 125-145 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 115-120 | |
| Nevada (western) | 190-200 | |
| Oklahoma | 130-160 | |
| Oregon (Lake County) | 165 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 130-150 | |
| South Dakota (western) | 90-110 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 180-230 | (D) |
| Texas (western) | 190-215 | |
| Texas (eastern) | 190-220 | (D) |
| Utah | 125-150 | |
| Wyoming (western) | 110-125 | |
| Wyoming (eastern) | 120-135 | |
| Good-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $245 | (D) |
| California (central) | 235 | |
| California (southern) | 210-220 | (D) |
| Colorado (large squares) | 120-140 | |
| Idaho | 140-145 | |
| Illinois (northern) | 140-160 | |
| Illinois (southern) | 150-200 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 103 | |
| Kansas (northwestern) | 120-140 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 110-125 | |
| Minnesota (Sauk Centre) | 160-220 | |
| Missouri | 90-160 | |
| Montana | 95-120 | |
| Nebraska (Platte Valley) | 85-115 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 90-125 | |
| Oklahoma | 100-130 | |
| Oregon (Lake County) | 160 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 105-120 | |
| South Dakota (western) | 70-90 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 140-200 | (D) |
| Texas (eastern) | 150-190 | (D) |
| Utah | 100-125 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 155 | |
| Wyoming (eastern) | 110-125 | |
| Wyoming (western) | 100-110 | |
| Fair-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $215-235 | (D) |
| California (central) | 215 | |
| California (southern) | 190 | (D) |
| Colorado (large squares) | 100-125 | |
| Idaho | 135 | |
| Illinois (northern) | 120-150 | |
| Illinois (southern) | 140-160 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 100-120 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 90-125 | |
| Oklahoma | 65-85 | |
| South Dakota (western) | 60-70 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 120-135 | (D) |
| Wyoming | 95-110 | |
| Bromegrass hay: | Price/ton | |
| Missouri | $60-130 | |
| Kansas | 90-120 | |
| Timothy hay: | Price/ton | |
| Colorado | $200-215 | |
| Montana | 150 | |
| Nevada (premium) | 280 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 210-245 | |
| Straw: | Price/ton | |
| Colorado (large squares) | $60-70 | |
| Illinois (northern) | 80-100 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 68-75 | |
| Kansas | 35-60 | |
| Montana | 35-80 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 50 | |
| 17% Dehy alfalfa pellets: | Price/ton | |
| Kansas | $205 | |
| Nebraska | 195-200 | |
| Wyoming | 179 | (D) |
| 15% Suncured alfalfa pellets: | Price/ton | |
| Kansas | $150-160 | |
| South Dakota | 160 | |
| Alfalfa cubes: | Price/ton | |
| Utah (premium export) | $150-180 | |
| Wyoming | 130 |
For weekly updated hay prices, go to “USDA Hay Prices” at HayandForage.com