The average price of both alfalfa and grass hay returned to the same level that was reported for April. According to data from the USDA’s Agricultural Prices report, the average June alfalfa price was $195 per ton while grass (other) hay finished at $149. Since the beginning of the year, the average alfalfa price has held steadfast within a narrow $7 per ton range, from $195 to $202.

The average price for Supreme and Premium alfalfa hay during June dropped a whopping $20 per ton in June to $256. This occurred after rebounding by $16 per ton the previous month.

The average grass hay price finished June by averaging $149 per ton, which was $5 lower than the previous month.

Four states posted double-digit month-over-month gains in their alfalfa price during June. Utah was up by $15 per ton, while Wisconsin was up $14. Both California and New Mexico posted $10 per ton gains.

Double-digit declines in the June were more numerous with nine states falling into this category. Colorado and Kansas each dropped by $15 per ton. Arizona, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wyoming were all down by $10 per ton.

The highest average May alfalfa hay price was reported in Texas at $293 per ton and was followed by New Mexico at $250. California posted a $240 price, while Kentucky and Pennsylvania both settled at $225 per ton.

North Dakota easily had the lowest average alfalfa price at $101 per ton. It was followed by South Dakota at $130.

Keep in mind that USDA average prices account for all qualities and bale types of hay sold. Also, the final U.S. estimate is a volume-weighted average rather than a simple average of state values. Those states with the most volume sales will impact the final U.S. dollar value more than those states with fewer sales.

The USDA also tracks the prices of Supreme and Premium quality alfalfa in the major dairy states and determines an average price from the five top milk-producing states (California, Idaho, New York, Texas, and Wisconsin). This data is used to determine feed prices in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program.

For June, the average price of Supreme and Premium alfalfa hay crashed by $20 per ton to $256. One year ago, the average price of Supreme and Premium alfalfa hay was $310 per ton.

The June average price of other hay (mostly grass) declined to $149 per ton, which was $23 per ton lower than a year ago.

The highest June price for hay other than alfalfa was reported in Washington at $225 per ton. Oregon followed at $215 per ton.

North Dakota had the lowest reported other hay average price at $80 per ton. It was followed by Oklahoma at $95 per ton.