USDA Weekly Hay Market Prices - October 13, 2015
By Hay and Forage Grower

The fall harvest season continues the trend of reduced activity as many farmers are engaged in other field activities. Haymaking equipment has been put away in many parts of the country; expectations are that sales activity will will pick up soon, though at lower prices than in recent years. Below are examples of alfalfa and grass prices being paid FOB per ton (except for those noted as delivered, which is indicated by a "d" in the table below) for selected states at the end of the day on Friday, October 9. Large ranges for a particular grade and state are often indicative of location and/or bale type differences. Also check the USDA Hay Market Prices for additional locations and more detailed information.

Alfalfa hay prices reported to USDA from selected states
Forage Quality Grade
Location
Premium+
Good
Fair
California
$180-275(d)
$120-200(d)
$100-140
Colorado
$170-305
$180
$90
Idaho
$160-189
$110-145
$85-100
Iowa
$190-255
$80-165
$60-115
Kansas
$160-210
$120-150
$100-120
Minnesota
N.A.
N.A.
$90
Missouri
$150-200
$120-160
$100-120
Montana
$170-225
$150-170
$100-135
Nebraska
$200
$70-170
$65-75
New Mexico
$170-300
$150-170
$120-150
Oklahoma
$125-210
$100-140
$90-100
Oregon
$170-255
$130-175
$150
Pennsylvania
$250-300
N.A.
N.A.
South Dakota
$180-215
$70-90
N.A.
Texas
$180-330(d)
$150-270
N.A.
Washington
$175-265
$150-160
$140
Wisconsin
$150
$60-135
N.A.
Wyoming
$170-215
$140
N.A.

Grass hay prices reported to USDA from selected states
Forage Quality Grade
Location
Premium+
Good
Fair
Alabama
$110-300
$70-160
N.A.
California
$200-270
$185
N.A.
Colorado
$200-280
$120-130
N.A.
Iowa
$135-160
$90-130
$70-90
Kansas
N.A.
$60-145
$50-60
Minnesota
$90
$70-85
N.A.
Missouri
N.A.
$75-100
$40-70
Montana
$180-225
$115-150
$80-100
Nebraska
N.A.
$75-150
$55-65
Oregon
$250-285
N.A
N.A.
Pennsylvania
$250-385
$200-300
$165-230
South Dakota
$140-200
N.A
$90-100
Texas
$180-265
$120-165
$70-120
Washington
$260-275
$130-155
N.A.
Wisconsin
N.A.
$75
N.A.



Table 1: Alfalfa guidelines (for domestic livestock use and not more than 10% grass)
Quality
ADF
NDF
*RFV
**TDN(100%)
**TDN(90%)
CP
Supreme
<27
<34
>185
>62
>55.9
>22
Premium
27-29
34-36
170-185
60.5-62
54.5-55.9
20-22
Good
29-32
36-40
150-170
58-60
52.5-54.5
18-20
Fair
32-35
40-44
130-150
56-58
50.5-52.5
16-18
Utility
>35
>44
<130
<56
<50.5
<16

*RFV calculated using the Wis/Minn formula.

**TDN calculated using the western formula.

Quantitative factors are approximate, and many factors can affect feeding value. Values based on 100 % dry matter (TDN showing both 100% & 90%). Guidelines are to be used with visual appearance and intent of sale (usage).

Hay Quality Designations physical descriptions:

Supreme: Very early maturity, pre-bloom, soft fine stemmed, extra leafy. Factors indicative of very high nutritive content. Hay is excellent color and free of damage.

Premium: Early maturity, i.e., pre-bloom in legumes and pre head in grass hays, extra leafy and fine stemmed-factors indicative of a high nutritive content. Hay is green and free of damage.

Good: Early to average maturity, i.e., early to mid-bloom in legumes and early head in grass hays, leafy, fine to medium stemmed, free of damage other than slight discoloration.

Fair: Late maturity, i.e., mid to late-bloom in legumes, head-in grass hays, moderate or below leaf content, and generally coarse stemmed. Hay may show light damage.

Utility: Hay in very late maturity, such as mature seed pods in legumes or mature head in grass hays, coarse stemmed. This category could include hay discounted due to excessive damage and heavy weed content or mold.


Table 2: Grass Hay guidelines
Quality
Crude Protein Percent
Premium
Over 13
Good
9 – 13
Fair
5 – 9
Low
Under 5


Quantitative factors are approximate, and many factors can affect feeding value. Values based on 100% dry matter. End usage may influence hay price or value more than testing results.