Hay prices and hauling costs are both gaining strength. But some reasonably priced hay may still be available not far from your dairy.
These prices were gathered by USDA in late August. 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) | $120-130 | (D) |
| California (central) | 130-135 | (D) |
| Idaho | 85-100 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 100-145 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 100-125 | |
| Oregon | 120-140 | |
| Utah | 90-120 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 120-130 | |
| Premium-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $175-205 | (D) |
| California (southern) | 175 | (D) |
| Colorado (northeastern) | 100-155 | |
| Idaho | 110-130 | |
| Illinois (northern) | 115-140 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 113 | |
| Iowa (Maurice) | 95 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 90-105 | |
| Kansas (northwestern) | 85-100 | |
| Missouri | 90-125 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 115-125 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 75-85 | |
| Nevada (northwestern) | 150-155 | |
| New Mexico | 130-165 | |
| Oklahoma (western) | 100-120 | |
| Oklahoma (eastern) | 70-80 | |
| Oregon (eastern) | 100 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 93-110 | |
| South Dakota (western) | 70-80 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 130-175 | (D) |
| Texas (eastern) | 140-150 | (D) |
| Utah | 80-105 | |
| Virginia | 123-125 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 125 | |
| Wyoming | 70-85 | |
| Good-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $155-185 | (D) |
| California (southern) | 165-175 | (D) |
| Colorado (northeastern) | 80-145 | |
| Idaho | 90-100 | |
| Illinois (northern) | 100-115 | |
| Illinois (southern) | 100-120 | |
| Iowa (central) | 100-120 | |
| Iowa (Rock Valley) | 65-90 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 72-100 | |
| Kansas (northeastern) | 85 | |
| Minnesota (southwestern) | 63-70 | |
| Missouri | 70-110 | |
| Montana | 75-90 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 100-115 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 60-70 | |
| Nevada | 120-130 | |
| New Mexico | 105-120 | |
| Oklahoma (western) | 90-120 | |
| Oklahoma (eastern) | 65-75 | |
| Oregon (eastern) | 85-100 | |
| Oregon (Klamath Basin) | 120-128 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 65-85 | |
| South Dakota (Alcester) | 60-63 | |
| South Dakota (western) | 65-75 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 125-150 | (D) |
| Texas (eastern) | 128-145 | |
| Utah | 60-75 | |
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 105 | |
| Wyoming | 60-70 | |
| Fair-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (northern) | $135-150 | (D) |
| California (southern) | 140 | (D) |
| Colorado (northeastern) | 65 | |
| Idaho | 75-90 | |
| Illinois (northern) | 85-100 | |
| Illinois (southern) | 70-90 | |
| Iowa | 53-60 | |
| Kansas (southwestern) | 70-85 | |
| Kansas (northeastern) | 65 | |
| Minnesota (southwestern) | 53-60 | |
| Montana | 55-60 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 90-98 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 50-55 | |
| Nevada | 90-100 | |
| Oklahoma (western) | 70-85 | |
| Oklahoma (eastern) | 40-50 | |
| Oregon (eastern) | 95 | |
| South Dakota (east river) | 50-65 | |
| South Dakota (western) | 45-60 | |
| Texas (panhandle) | 90-110 | (D) |
| Texas (eastern) | 100-110 | (D) |
| Utah | 45-55 | |
| Wyoming (eastern) | 50-55 | |
| Timothy hay: | Price/ton | |
| California (southern) | $288-310 | (D) |
| Montana | 120-140 | |
| Nevada | 225-240 | |
| Wyoming | 125 | |
| Straw: | Price/ton | |
| California (central) | $60 | |
| California (southern) | 40-45 | |
| Illinois | 45-90 | |
| Nebraska (western) | 25-30 | |
| 17% Dehy alfalfa pellets: | Price/ton | |
| Kansas | $125 | |
| Nebraska (northeastern) | 120-122 | |
| Nebraska (Platte Valley | 118 | |
| Wyoming | 125 | |
| 15% Suncured alfalfa pellets: | Price/ton | |
| Kansas | $92-100 | |
| Alfalfa cubes: | Price/ton | |
| Utah (50-lb bags) | $120-140 | |
| Wyoming | 90-100 |