This year’s high hay prices continue to creep even higher. USDA reports that the nationwide average alfalfa hay price remained steady at $105/ton last month. But the average all-hay price hit $97.70/ton, up $1.40/ton from the July price and $17.20 above the August 2000 figure.
According to weekly hay reports from USDA Market News, buyers in parts of California are paying up to $166/ton f.o.b. for premium-quality alfalfa, and delivered prices are $10 or so higher. Premium-quality alfalfa is going for $115-130 in Idaho, $80-115 in Iowa, $110-130 in Illinois, $90-130 in Kansas and $90-115 in Nebraska.