Data Compiled by Richard Halopka Senior Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension Clark County Crops & Soils Educator
All hay prices quoted are dollars per ton FOB point of origin for alfalfa hay unless otherwise noted.
The information presented in this report is compiled from public and private quality tested sales and reports in the Midwest.
Previous hay reports can be viewed on the archive.
Hay auction data is collected on the first and third week of the month and posted by or before Tuesday. Prices quoted in this report are for “as fed” alfalfa hay.
Demand and Sales Comments
Prices are steady to stronger this week with dairy quality hay providing the strength. Dairy quality hay is supporting the market while low quality hay is heavily discounted. Some farmers are deciding to hold hay stocks because of drought concerns. If you have questions on this report contact richard.halopka@wisc.edu . If you need forage or have forage to sell or straw, connect to the Farmer-to-Farmer website. You may contact your local county agriculture educator if you need help placing an ad. There is no charge for the service.
Upper Midwest Hay Price Summary by Quality Grade
| Hay Grade | Bale type | ———- Price ($/ton) ———- | ||||
| Average | Minimum | Maximum | ||||
| Prime (> 151 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | $263.00 | $196.00 | $320.00 | ||
| Large Square | $231.00 | $160.00 | $290.00 | |||
| Large Round | $196.00 | $170.00 | $250.00 | |||
| Grade 1 (125 to 150 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | $192.00 | $160.00 | $224.00 | ||
| Large Square | $185.00 | $145.00 | $230.00 | |||
| Large Round | $161.00 | $120.00 | $220.00 | |||
| Grade 2 (103 to 124 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | No Reported Sales | ||||
| Large Square | $168.00 | $100.00 | $225.00 | |||
| Large Round | $123.00 | $70.00 | $205.00 | |||
| Grade 3 (87 to 102 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | No Reported Sales | ||||
| Large Square | $106.00 | $70.00 | $150.00 | |||
| Large Round | $83.00 | $50.00 | $200.00 | |||
Straw prices are for oat, barley, or wheat straw. Straw prices are steady to strong. Small square bales averaged $4.90 a bale (range of $3.00 to $6.00). Large square bale straw averaged $41.00 per bale (a range of $23.00 to $56.00). Large round bale straw averaged $51.00 per bale (range of $40.00 – $60.00).
In Nebraska, hay sold fully steady. Demand picked up in central part of the state. There is a limited amount of hay for sale as some are on the fence to move 2021 crop or hold on as currently there is drought concerns across the state. In Iowa, no report.
In South Dakota, all classes of hay sold steady. Good demand for all types of hay, but market activity has slowed. Hay supplies are limited, which is supporting the market.
In Missouri, hay supply is moderate and demand is light to moderate with prices mostly steady. Snow cover has helped moisture concerns, but many areas have drought concerns.
In Southwest Minnesota, no report. In Kansas, hay market prices remain steady with undertones of stronger prices. Movement remains slow as some farmers are deciding to hang on to supply because of drought concerns.
In Wisconsin, prices are strong for dairy quality hay. Low quality hay is sharply discounted.
The next Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the Upper Midwest will be posted by Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
The following links are included in this report allowing producers to obtain some state and nearby state prices, (these may not be quality-tested auctions, if quality, they are included in this report). The Equity Cooperative market report is at http://livestock.equitycoop.com/market_reports/. Go to the Lomira, Reedsville, and Stratford locations for their reports on untested hay and straw prices.
The Reynolds Feed & Supply, LLC of Dodgeville is at http://www.reynoldslivestock.com/what1snew/.
The Tim Slack Auction and Realty, LLC of Fennimore is at http://www.timslackauctionrealty.com/market%20report.html.
The Dyersville Sales Company of Dyersville, Iowa is at http://dyersvillesales.com/hay-auction/hay-auction-results/. Fort Atkinson auction is at http://www.fortatkinsonhay.com/
The Farmer-to-Farmer website is an electronic neighborhood bulletin board that allows local farmers to get in touch with one another to facilitate the marketing of feed commodities. It also connects those with productive pastures to those producers who are in need of pastures. If you would like assistance posting to this web site, contact your county’s University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension agriculture agent.