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 months of hay reports can be viewed on the archive.
Hay auction data is collected on the first and third week of the month and posted the following Monday when possible. Prices quoted in this report are for “as fed” alfalfa hay.
Demand and Sales Comments
Limited dairy quality hay at auction this week pushed some lower quality hay prices. Small lots of prime hay have pushed small square prices upward. Low quality hay is losing some ground. Overall prices are steady with limited sales. If you need forage or have forage for 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 ($/ton)
|
Price ($/ton)
|
Price ($/ton)
|
| Prime (> 151 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | $270.00 | $190.00 | $320.00 |
| Large Square | $215.00 | $150.00 | $300.00 | |
| Large Round | $179.00 | $138.00 | $205.00 | |
| Grade 1 (125 to 150 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | $177.00 | $130.00 | $224.00 |
| Large Square | $164.00 | $120.00 | $210.00 | |
| Large Round | $145.00 | $75.00 | $170.00 | |
| Grade 2 (103 to 214 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | No Reported Sales | ||
| Large Square | $139.00 | $100.00 | $185.00 | |
| Large Round | $134.00 | $90.00 | $180.00 | |
| Grade 3 (87 to 102 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | No Reported Sales | ||
| Large Square | $50.00 | $50.00 | $50.00 | |
| Large Round | No Reported Sales | |||
Straw prices
Straw prices are for oat, barley, or wheat straw. Straw prices are steady. Small square bales averaged $4.80 a bale (range of $4.00 to $6.00). Large square bale straw averaged $39.00 per bale (a range of $20.00 to $49.00). Large round bale straw averaged $66.00 per bale (one sale only a range of $66.00 – $66.00).
In Nebraska, all forages sold steady with light demand.
In Iowa, no report.
In South Dakota, prices were steady with good demand for all classes of hay. Drought conditions are contributing to need and demand for hay.
In Missouri, prices are steady with light supply and light demand. Harvest season may have resulted in low numbers.
In Southwest Minnesota, no report.
In Kansas, hay market prices were steady, movement is very slow, demand is fair to good with a slower trade this week. Many producers are arvesting and there is a good supply of corn silage.
In Wisconsin, prices are steady for dairy quality hay with a limited supply.
Next Hay Market Report
The next Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the Upper Midwest will be posted by Tuesday, October 26, 2021
State and Surrounding State Prices
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
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.
