Buyers who can find the high-quality hay they need are paying more and more for it this winter. In many states, prices have strengthened by $5-10/ton in the past month, and are running significantly above year-ago levels. The highest prices are in California and Texas; the lowest, in South Dakota.
These prices were gathered in early January by USDA. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado (northeastern) | $160-220 | |
| Idaho | 125-140 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 180-215 | |
| Kansas (northwestern) | 160-180 | |
| South Dakota (western) | 90-100 | |
| Utah | 80-120 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 150-160 | |
| Wyoming | 120-130 | |
| Premium-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $186 | (D) |
| California (central) | 205 | (D) |
| California (southern) | 155 | (D) |
| Colorado (northeastern) | 130-135 | |
| Colorado (San Luis Valley) | 140-150 | |
| Illinois (northern) | 125-150 | |
| Illinois (southern) | 120-160 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 100-130 | |
| Iowa (central) | 120-145 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 150-155 | |
| Kansas (northwestern) | 120-130 | |
| Minnesota (southwestern) | 95-105 | |
| Missouri | 100-140 | |
| Montana | 100-125 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 125-140 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 100-110 | |
| Nevada | 130-145 | |
| Oklahoma | 150-180 | |
| Oregon (central) | 140 | |
| South Dakota (western) | 90-100 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 85-120 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 180-250 | (D) |
| Utah | 85-95 | |
| Virginia | 175 | |
| Wyoming | 100-130 | |
| Good-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (central) | $125-140 | |
| California (southern) | 140-145 | (D) |
| Colorado (southwestern) | 115 | |
| Idaho | 90-100 | |
| Illinois | 100-130 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 80-98 | |
| Iowa (Maurice) | 95 | |
| Iowa (central) | 100 | |
| Minnesota (southwestern) | 78-90 | |
| Montana | 65-100 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 115-120 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 90-100 | |
| Nevada | 115-130 | |
| Oklahoma | 140-160 | |
| South Dakota (western) | 80-85 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 70-95 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 160-200 | (D) |
| Texas (eastern) | 160-180 | (D) |
| Utah | 65-85 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 120-130 | |
| Wyoming | 85-100 | |
| Fair-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (southern) | $132 | (D) |
| Idaho | 85 | |
| Illinois (northern) | 80-100 | |
| Illinois (southern) | 80-110 | |
| Iowa (central) | 55-60 | |
| Minnesota (southwestern) | 65 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 90-110 | |
| Nevada | 100-110 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 130-160 | (D) |
| Texas (eastern) | 150-160 | (D) |
| Utah | 60 | |
| Bromegrass hay | Price/ton | |
| Missouri (good to premium) | $90-120 | |
| Kansas (good) | 70-100 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 215 | (D) |
| Timothy hay: | Price/ton | |
| Montana (premium) | $140-150 | |
| Nevada (premium) | 180-200 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 140 | |
| Wyoming (premium) | 175 | |
| Straw: | Price/ton | |
| Colorado (northeastern) | $70-75 | (D) |
| Idaho | 40-45 | |
| Illinois | 45-55 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 40-60 | |
| Kansas | 55-70 | |
| Montana | 25-30 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 45-50 | |
| Nebraska (Platte Valley) | 55-60 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 50-55 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 50 | |
| Wyoming | 50 | (D) |
| 17% Dehy alfalfa pellets: | Price/ton | |
| Kansas | $160-170 | |
| Nebraska | 165-170 | |
| Wyoming | 174 | (D) |
| 15% Suncured alfalfa pellets: | Price/ton | |
| South Dakota | $145 | |
| Alfalfa cubes: | Price/ton | |
| Utah (50-lb bags) | $120-150 |