The wide range of hay prices around the country point out that economical long-distance shipping is still elusive.
This month's highest reported price for premium-quality alfalfa is in Virginia, at $226/ton. The low-est: $70/ton in Wyoming and western Nebraska.
These are early January USDA prices. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho | $100 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 100-160 | |
| Kansas (northwestern) | 85-150 | |
| Montana | 100-120 | |
| Oregon | 120-125 | |
| Utah | 75-100 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 120-130 | |
| Premium-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $155-182 | (D) |
| California (central) | 165-175 | (D) |
| California (southern) | 115 | |
| Colorado (northeastern) | 90-100 | |
| Colorado (southeastern) | 80-90 | |
| Illinois (northern) | 120-130 | |
| Illinois (southern) | 115-135 | |
| Iowa (central) | 130-140 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 100 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 95-105 | |
| Kansas (southeastern) | 80-100 | |
| Missouri | 90-125 | |
| Montana | 100-120 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 110-120 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 70-85 | |
| Nevada (western) | 145-150 | |
| New Mexico | 123-155 | |
| Oklahoma | 100-120 | |
| Oregon (Klamath Basin) | 115 | |
| South Dakota (western) | 75-85 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 90-130 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 130-160 | (D) |
| Texas (eastern) | 145-160 | |
| Utah | 75-90 | |
| Virginia | 226 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 105-115 | |
| Wyoming | 70-85 | |
| Good-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $152-167 | (D) |
| California (central) | 145-165 | (D) |
| California (southern) | 106-115 | |
| Colorado (northeastern) | 80-90 | |
| Colorado (southeastern) | 70-75 | |
| Idaho | 75-80 | |
| Illinois | 90-110 | |
| Iowa (central) | 100-130 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 80-95 | |
| Kansas | 70-95 | |
| Minnesota (southwestern) | 73-85 | |
| Montana | 60-85 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 90-115 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 60-65 | |
| Nevada (northern) | 105-110 | |
| Nevada (western) | 130 | |
| New Mexico (eastern) | 110-120 | |
| New Mexico (southern) | 105-115 | (D) |
| Oklahoma | 90-110 | |
| Oregon (Klamath Basin) | 100-115 | |
| South Dakota (western) | 60-65 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 70-85 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 115-140 | (D) |
| Texas (eastern) | 125-140 | |
| Utah | 50-70 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 105-107 | |
| Wyoming | 60-70 | |
| Fair-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $140-155 | (D) |
| California (central) | 145 | (D) |
| California (southern) | 90-95 | |
| Colorado (northeastern) | 50 | |
| Colorado (southeastern) | 55-60 | |
| Idaho | 60-75 | |
| Illinois | 70-90 | |
| Iowa (central) | 55-60 | |
| Kansas | 65-70 | |
| Minnesota (southwestern) | 58-65 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 40-55 | |
| Nevada (western) | 100-110 | |
| New Mexico | 85-95 | |
| Oregon (Harney County) | 70-80 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 85-100 | |
| Texas (eastern) | 80-90 | |
| Utah | 40-45 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 70-85 | |
| Wyoming | 50-60 | |
| Oat hay | Price/ton | |
| Colorado | $50-55 | |
| Wyoming | 55-70 | |
| Straw | Price/ton | |
| Colorado | $35-40 | |
| Illinois | 50-80 | |
| Kansas | 35-40 | |
| Montana | 25-30 | |
| Nebraska | 20-30 | |
| 17% Dehy alfalfa pellets: | Price/ton | |
| Kansas | $110 | |
| Nebraska | 95-106 | |
| Wyoming | 125 | |
| 15% Suncured alfalfa pellets: | Price/ton | |
| Colorado | $99 | |
| Kansas | 89-100 | |
| Alfalfa cubes: | Price/ton | |
| Utah | $85-115 | |
| Utah (50-lb bags) | 120-140 | |
| Wyoming | 80-90 |