Dairy producers who need hay may want to look in the Upper Midwest. The lowest prices in USDA's reporting network are in some of those states. At Iowa auctions, for example, premium-quality alfalfa is still selling for less than $150/ton.
These prices were gathered by USDA in early September. 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 (northern) | $280 | (D) |
| California (central) | 210-215 | |
| Kansas | 180-210 | |
| Montana | 200-205 | |
| Nevada | 205-210 | |
| Oregon (eastern) | 200-240 | |
| Oregon (Harney County) | 185 | |
| Utah | 180-225 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 260-270 | |
| Premium-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $250-270 | (D) |
| California (central) | 250-260 | (D) |
| California (southern) | 240-245 | |
| Colorado (southwestern) | 180-255 | |
| Colorado (northeastern) | 160-225 | |
| Idaho | 210-230 | |
| Iowa (Maurice) | 128 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 128-135 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 170-185 | |
| Kansas (northeastern) | 140-170 | |
| Missouri | 150-175 | |
| Montana | 160-175 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 180-200 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 135-145 | |
| Nevada | 200-230 | |
| New Mexico (southeastern) | 200-240 | (D) |
| New Mexico (southern) | 190-210 | (D) |
| Oklahoma | 165-195 | |
| Oregon (eastern) | 210 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 170-190 | |
| South Dakota (western) | 85-120 | |
| Texas | 200-270 | (D) |
| Utah | 150-180 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 240-250 | |
| Wyoming | 150 | |
| Good-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $235-250 | (D) |
| California (central) | 230-260 | (D) |
| Colorado (northeastern) | 150-200 | |
| Colorado (southwestern) | 185 | |
| Iowa (central) | 140-160 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 90-110 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 150-175 | |
| Kansas (southeastern) | 130-150 | |
| Missouri | 100-160 | |
| Montana | 100-130 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 110-130 | |
| New Mexico (southwestern) | 170-190 | (D) |
| Oklahoma | 130-160 | |
| Oregon (eastern) | 195 | |
| Oregon (Harney County) | 180-195 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 135-160 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 175-230 | (D) |
| Texas (eastern) | 180-200 | (D) |
| Utah | 130-150 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 220 | |
| Wyoming | 120-140 | |
| Fair-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $210-235 | (D) |
| California (central) | 218-235 | (D) |
| California (southern) | 245 | (D) |
| Colorado (northeastern) | 120-150 | |
| Colorado (southwestern) | 170-175 | |
| Idaho | 180-200 | |
| Kansas (northeastern) | 70-80 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 95-110 | |
| New Mexico (southeastern) | 145-165 | (D) |
| New Mexico (southern) | 110-135 | (D) |
| Oklahoma | 105-125 | |
| Oregon (eastern) | 175 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 200-210 | |
| Wyoming | 98 | |
| Bromegrass hay: | Price/ton | |
| Kansas | $85-110 | |
| Missouri (good to premium) | 90-150 | |
| Oat hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $150 | |
| Colorado (northeastern) | 115-125 | |
| Nevada | 180 | |
| Oregon | 150-160 | |
| South Dakota (western) | 75 | |
| Teff hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (southern) | $240 | |
| Nevada | 220 | |
| Oregon | 235 | |
| Straw: | Price/ton | |
| California (southern) | $70 | |
| Colorado | 70 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 80-85 | |
| Kansas | 50-60 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 50-55 | |
| South Dakota | 50-65 | |
| 17% Dehy alfalfa pellets: | Price/ton | |
| Kansas | $235 | |
| Nebraska | 215-220 | |
| Wyoming | 179 | (D) |
| 15% Suncured alfalfa pellets: | Price/ton | |
| Kansas | $175-195 | |
| South Dakota | 175 | |
| Alfalfa cubes: | Price/ton | |
| Utah (export) | $190-225 | |
| Wyoming | 130-165 |