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
Top quality alfalfa continues to have a steady to strong market influenced by dry conditions. Lower quality hay is discounted at some markets. Corn silage harvest has begun and interest in hay is currently waning. Remember to be safe during the harvest season. 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 | $346.00 | $272.00 | $400.00 |
| Large Square | $259.00 | $145.00 | $350.00 | |
| Large Round | $195.00 | $160.00 | $225.00 | |
| Grade 1 (125 to 150 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | $238.00 | $168.00 | $288.00 |
| Large Square | $196.00 | $125.00 | $275.00 | |
| Large Round | $170.00 | $90.00 | $270.00 | |
| Grade 2 (103 to 124 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | No Reported Sales | ||
| Large Square | $138.00 | $107.00 | $187.00 | |
| Large Round | $151.00 | $125.00 | $190.00 | |
| Grade 3 (87 to 102 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | $150.00 | $150.00 | $150.00 |
| Large Square | $133.00 | $122.00 | $140.00 | |
| Large Round | $135.00 | $100.00 | $160.00 | |
Straw prices are for oat, barley, or wheat straw. Limited supply at the auctions. Small square bales averaged $4.80 a bale (range of $3.50 to $7.00). Large square bale straw averaged $52.00 per bale (a range of $30.00 to $75.00). Large round bale straw averaged $58.00 per bale (a range of $35.00 to $75.00).
In Nebraska, alfalfa hay is selling steady with weak demand. Silage harvest is of interest at this time.
In South Dakota, Prices are steady to weak, with moderate demand. CRP hay has pressured market lower.
In Missouri, supply is light; prices are steady with light demand.
In Kansas, trade and demand are very slow with steady prices.
In Wisconsin, prices for hay are steady to strong. Hay yields are down in 2023. Corn silage harvest has begun and interest is now to fill bunkers rather than buy hay.
The next Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the Upper Midwest will be posted by Tuesday, September 26, 2023.
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.
