Supplies of high-quality alfalfa hay are tight in most states and almost non-existent in some. Prices are at or above year-ago levels almost everywhere.
Further price increases can be expected, although lower milk prices are limiting the buying power of dairies. That's already holding down hay prices in some areas.
These prices were gathered in early December 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 Prices link section of hayandforage.com
| Horse-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
|---|---|---|
| California (northern) | $185 | (D) |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 180-215 | |
| Kansas (northwestern) | 160-180 | |
| Oregon (central) | 150-220 | |
| Oregon (Klamath Basin) | 115-130 | |
| South Dakota (western) | 120 | |
| Utah | 80-120 | |
| Wyoming | 120-125 | |
| Premium-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $170-185 | (D) |
| California (central) | 160 | (D) |
| California (southern) | 155-165 | (D) |
| Idaho | 125-130 | |
| Illinois | 115-140 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 98-113 | |
| Iowa (Maurice) | 98-110 | |
| Iowa (central) | 65-145 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 150-155 | |
| Kansas (northwestern) | 120 | |
| Minnesota (southwestern) | 93-98 | |
| Missouri | 100-125 | |
| Montana | 120-125 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 130-140 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 100-110 | |
| Nevada | 130-135 | |
| Oklahoma | 150-180 | |
| Oregon (Klamath Basin) | 130 | |
| South Dakota (western) | 90-100 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 85-115 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 180-250 | (D) |
| Utah | 85-95 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 135-150 | |
| Wyoming | 100-115 | |
| Good-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $150-165 | (D) |
| California (central) | 150-160 | (D) |
| Idaho | 90-110 | |
| Illinois | 80-120 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 90-95 | |
| Iowa (central) | 48-100 | |
| Minnesota (southwestern) | 73-88 | |
| Montana | 65-100 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 75-120 | |
| Nevada | 125-130 | |
| Oklahoma | 140-160 | |
| Oregon (eastern) | 110 | |
| South Dakota (western) | 75-85 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 65-90 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 160-200 | (D) |
| Texas (eastern) | 160-180 | (D) |
| Utah | 65-85 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 125 | |
| Fair-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $145-150 | (D) |
| California (central) | 130 | (D) |
| California (southern) | 130-135 | (D) |
| Idaho | 85-90 | |
| Illinois | 65-90 | |
| Iowa (central) | 40-60 | |
| Minnesota | 63-65 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 90 | |
| Nevada | 115-120 | |
| Oklahoma | 80-100 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 140-160 | (D) |
| Texas (eastern) | 150-160 | (D) |
| Utah | 60 | |
| Bromegrass hay | Price/ton | |
| Missouri | $40-100 | |
| Kansas (southeastern) | 80-100 | |
| Kansas (northwestern) | 80-110 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 220 | (D) |
| Prairie hay | Price/ton | |
| Missouri | $40-100 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 130-190 | (D) |
| Timothy hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (southern) | $310 | (D) |
| Idaho | 140 | |
| Montana | 140-150 | |
| Straw: | Price/ton | |
| Illinois | $40-90 | |
| Idaho | 30-60 | |
| Kansas (northwestern) | 50-65 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 25-50 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 45-50 | |
| Montana | 25-35 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 48-55 | |
| Washington (Columbia basin) | 40 | |
| 17% Dehy alfalfa pellets: | Price/ton | |
| Nebraska | $170 | |
| Wyoming | 148 | |
| Kansas | 180 | |
| 15% Suncured alfalfa pellets: | Price/ton | |
| Kansas | $155-170 | |
| South Dakota | 145 | |
| Alfalfa cubes: | Price/ton | |
| Utah (50-lb bags) | $120-150 | |
| Wyoming | 110 |