The past fall's near-record warmth apparently eased pressure on the nation's hay supply, as prices held mostly steady. Now that winter is finally here, though, look for prices to strengthen.
These prices were gathered in December from hay growers and USDA. Figures followed by (D) are delivered prices. All others are at the farm. Cube and pellet prices are bulk unless otherwise indicated.
| Horse-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $100-135 | ||
| Kansas | 120-150 | ||
| Michigan | 110-130 | ||
| Montana | 105-120 | ||
| Nebraska (western) | 100-120 | ||
| New Mexico (to FL racetrack) | 245-255 | (D) | |
| New Mexico (to TX) | 195-220 | (D) | |
| Wisconsin | 105 | (D) | |
| Wyoming | 95-125 | ||
| Premium-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | ||
| California (northern) | $150 | ||
| California (central) | 150-160 | ||
| California (southern) | 190 | (D) | |
| Colorado | 105-130 | ||
| Idaho | 120-125 | ||
| Illinois | 115-150 | ||
| Iowa | 70-125 | ||
| Kansas | 100-125 | ||
| Michigan | 100-120 | ||
| Missouri | 110-135 | (D) | |
| Montana | 85-90 | ||
| Nebraska | 90-140 | ||
| Nevada | 135-150 | ||
| New Mexico (to MI) | 180 | (D) | |
| New Mexico (to TX) | 160 | (D) | |
| Oklahoma | 100-120 | ||
| Oregon | 110-130 | ||
| South Dakota (East River) | 80-100 | ||
| Texas (Panhandle) | 155-165 | ||
| Texas (eastern) | 120-140 | ||
| Utah | 95-105 | ||
| Virginia | 105-133 | ||
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 115-130 | ||
| Wisconsin | 90 | (D) | |
| Wyoming | 85-90 | ||
| Good-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | ||
| California (northern) | $110-150 | ||
| California (central) | 135-160 | ||
| California (southern) | 110-120 | ||
| Colorado | 85-120 | ||
| Idaho | 110 | ||
| Illinois | 100-135 | ||
| Michigan | 60-100 | ||
| Montana | 80-120 | ||
| Nebraska | 80-120 | ||
| Nevada | 15-135 | ||
| New York | 80 | ||
| Oklahoma | 100-115 | ||
| Oregon | 105-125 | ||
| South Dakota (East River) | 65-80 | ||
| Texas (Panhandle) | 100-110 | ||
| Texas (eastern) | 80-110 | ||
| Utah | 70-90 | ||
| Virginia | 88-93 | ||
| Washington (Columbia Basin) | 105-110 | ||
| Wyoming | 75-100 | ||
| Fair-quality alfalfa hay: | Price/ton | ||
| California (northern) | $130-140 | ||
| California (central) | 130 | ||
| California (southern) | 90-105 | ||
| Colorado | 75-90 | ||
| Idaho | 90-105 | ||
| Illinois | 65-100 | ||
| Iowa | 40-90 | ||
| Michigan | 40-60 | ||
| Minnesota (southwestern) | 73-80 | ||
| Nebraska | 40-70 | ||
| Nevada | 95-105 | ||
| Oklahoma | 45-60 | ||
| Oregon | 90-105 | ||
| Utah | 50-65 | ||
| Wisconsin | 60-80 | ||
| Prairie hay: | Price/ton | ||
| Missouri | $85-110 | (D) | |
| Texas (Panhandle) | 90-130 | (D) | |
| Timothy hay: | Price/ton | ||
| Michigan | $90-140 | ||
| Montana | 80-135 | ||
| Pennsylvania (eastern) | 85-120 | ||
| Oat hay: | Price/ton | ||
| California | $189 | (D) | |
| Colorado | 65-70 | ||
| Illinois | 75-80 | ||
| Straw: | Price/ton | ||
| Illinois | $60-100 | ||
| Idaho | Wheat straw | 40 | |
| Iowa | Oat straw | 80-90 | |
| Kansas | 60 | ||
| Michigan | Wheat straw | 60-90 | |
| Montana | 50-55 | (D) | |
| New York | 90 | ||
| North Carolina | Wheat straw | 142-162 | (D) |
| Pennsylvania (eastern) | 90-110 | ||
| Wisconsin | 60-70 | ||
| Wyoming | Wheat straw | 45 | |
| 17% Dehydrated alfalfa pellets: | Price/ton | ||
| Kansas | $140-148 | ||
| Nebraska | 133-138 | ||
| Wyoming | 135 | ||
| 15% Suncured alfalfa pellets: | Price/ton | ||
| Kansas | $125-130 | ||
| Nebraska | 128 | ||
| South Dakota (western) | 145 | ||
| Alfalfa cubes: | Price/ton | ||
| Utah (50-lb bags) | $120-140 | ||
| Wyoming (50-lb bags) | 100-115 | ||