Meaningful hay prices are sometimes hard to come by in mid-summer, when sales are slow due to low demand. Overall, prices are steady to somewhat lower, but big increases may be on the horizon (see “Hay-Making Headaches,” pages 10-11).

These prices were gathered in late July from 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
Idaho $85-110
Kansas (southwestern) 100-150
Kansas (northeastern) 110-120
Montana 90
Nebraska (western) 95-100
Nevada 130
Utah 75-100
Washington (Columbia Basin) 120-125
Wyoming 80
Premium-quality alfalfa hay: Price/ton
California (northern) $140-153 (D)
California (central) 142-166 (D)
California (southern) 138 (D)
Colorado (northeastern) 90-100
Colorado (southeastern) 80-90
Idaho 110-115
Illinois 120-140
Kansas 80-100
Missouri 80-110
Nebraska (northeastern) 120-130
Nebraska (western) 70-80
Nevada (northern) 100-115
Nevada (western) 110-120
New Mexico 120-135
Oklahoma (central) 100-120
Oklahoma (panhandle) 110-120
Oregon (southern) 115-120
South Dakota (east river) 90-100
South Dakota (western) 70-85
Texas (panhandle) 115-160 (D)
Texas (eastern) 130-165 (D)
Utah 70-90
Washington (Columbia Basin) 90-120
Wyoming (eastern) 70-85
Good-quality alfalfa hay: Price/ton
California (northern) $128-153 (D)
California (central) 125-145 (D)
California (southern) 120-130 (D)
Colorado (northeastern) 80-90
Colorado (southeastern) 70-75
Idaho 85-100
Illinois 90-115
Iowa (Rock Valley) 70-83
Iowa (Maurice) 85
Kansas 70-90
Minnesota (southwestern) 53-63
Missouri 70-100
Montana 65-85
Nebraska (Platte Valley) 90
Nebraska (northeastern) 100-115
Nevada (northern) 90-100
Nevada (western) 100-110
New Mexico 110-125
Oklahoma 90-110
Oregon 80-105
South Dakota (east river) 65-80
South Dakota (western) 60-65
Texas (panhandle) 105-135
Texas (eastern) 105-115
Utah 50-65
Washington (Columbia Basin) 80-90
Wyoming 60-70
Fair-quality alfalfa hay: Price/ton
California (northern) $113-142 (D)
California (central) 117-126 (D)
California (southern) 100-110 (D)
Colorado 50-60
Idaho 65-70
Illinois 70-90
Iowa (Rock Valley) 50-55
Kansas 70-75
Minnesota (southwestern) 45-48
Nebraska (Platte Valley) 30-50
Nevada 80-85
New Mexico 100-110
Oklahoma 70-80
South Dakota (east river) 40-45
Texas (panhandle) 85-100 (D)
Texas (western) 70-85
Utah 40-45
Timothy hay: Price/ton
California (southern) $250-285
Montana 115-135
Nevada 220-260
Straw: Price/ton
Illinois $50-80
Kansas 35-45
Minnesota 55
Nebraska (northeastern) 50
Nebraska (western) 20-30
17% Dehy alfalfa pellets: Price/ton
Kansas $106-108
Nebraska (Platte Valley) 95-105
Nebraska (northeastern) 100-106
15% Suncured alfalfa pellets: Price/ton
Colorado $99
Kansas 93-105
Alfalfa cubes: Price/ton
California (northern) $107-130
Utah (50-lb bags) 120-140
Wyoming 85-95