Hay prices are showing signs of strength as dry weather grips much of the country. So far, the most dramatic gains are in prices paid for low-quality hay.
These prices were gathered by USDA in late July. Figures followed by (D) are delivered prices. All others are at the farm. Cube and pellet prices are bulk unless otherwise indicated.
For weekly updated hay prices, go to the “Hay Price Link” section of HayandForage.com
| Horse-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
|---|---|---|
| California (northern) | $135 | |
| California (southern) | 140-145 | (D) |
| Idaho | 110 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 150-170 | |
| Kansas (southeastern) | 130-160 | |
| Oregon | 135-150 | |
| Utah | 90-120 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 130-150 | |
| Premium-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $143-183 | (D) |
| California (central) | 168-172 | |
| California (southern) | 150 | (D) |
| Colorado (Fort Collins) | 143-185 | |
| Colorado (southeastern) | 130-160 | |
| Idaho | 110-135 | |
| Illinois (northern) | 115-140 | |
| Illinois (southern) | 120-130 | |
| Iowa (north central) | 105-120 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 95-110 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 115-130 | |
| Kansas (northeastern) | 100-120 | |
| Missouri | 100-125 | |
| Montana | 120-125 | |
| Nebraska (Platte Valley) | 125-135 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 90-110 | |
| Nevada | 110-115 | |
| New Mexico (eastern) | 165-180 | (D) |
| New Mexico (southern) | 150-155 | (D) |
| Oklahoma | 140-160 | |
| Oregon (eastern) | 115-120 | |
| Oregon (Klamath Basin) | 130-145 | |
| South Dakota | 85-110 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 165-195 | (D) |
| Texas (eastern) | 170-210 | (D) |
| Utah | 80-95 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 130-135 | |
| Wyoming | 95-115 | |
| Good-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $143-183 | (D) |
| California (central) | 110-156 | (D) |
| California (southern) | 143 | (D) |
| Colorado (Fort Collins) | 120-160 | |
| Colorado (southeastern) | 125 | |
| Idaho | 100-110 | |
| Illinois | 100-120 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 75-95 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 115-120 | |
| Kansas (northeastern) | 90-110 | |
| Missouri | 70-110 | |
| Montana | 80-90 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 115-120 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 75-95 | |
| Nevada (northwestern) | 80-90 | |
| New Mexico (eastern) | 145-165 | (D) |
| New Mexico (southern) | 130-135 | (D) |
| Oklahoma | 120-140 | |
| Oregon (eastern) | 92 | |
| South Dakota | 65-85 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 150-170 | (D) |
| Texas (eastern) | 150-160 | (D) |
| Utah | 60-80 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 120-127 | |
| Wyoming | 75-95 | |
| Fair-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $100-127 | (D) |
| California (central) | 105-123 | (D) |
| California (southern) | 120-125 | (D) |
| Colorado (Fort Collins) | 112-161 | |
| Idaho | 85-90 | |
| Illinois | 70-110 | |
| Iowa (north central) | 75 | |
| Iowa (Maurice) | 47-60 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 115-125 | |
| Kansas (northeastern) | 85 | |
| Nebraska (Platte Valley) | 80-90 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 70-80 | |
| Oklahoma | 80-90 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 50-65 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 130-145 | (D) |
| Texas (eastern) | 120-140 | (D) |
| Utah | 45-55 | |
| Wyoming | 65-70 | |
| Prairie hay | Price/ton | |
| Kansas | $75-95 | |
| Missouri | 40-100 | |
| Texas (panhandle) 1 | 35-160 | (D) |
| Straw: | Price/ton | |
| Colorado | $67 | |
| Illinois | 40-80 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 58-68 | |
| Kansas | 45-55 | |
| Minnesota (southwestern) | 65 | |
| Nebraska | 25-50 | |
| South Dakota | 18-25 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 50-60 | |
| 17% Dehy alfalfa pellets: | Price/ton | |
| Kansas | $165 | |
| Nebraska | 150 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 140 | |
| 15% Suncured alfalfa pellets: | Price/ton | |
| Kansas | $135-148 | |
| Alfalfa cubes: | Price/ton | |
| Utah (50-lb bags) | $120-150 | |
| Wyoming | 125 |