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
Moving from summer to early fall markets remain on a steady pace, lower quality hay sharply discounted. Good dairy quality hay has a steady to strong market. 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 |
$303.00 |
$160.00 |
$3600.00 |
|
|
Large Square |
$246.00 |
$170.00 |
$300.00 |
|
|
Large Round |
$210.00 |
$155.00 |
$300.00 |
|
Grade 1 (125 to 150 RFV/RFQ) |
Small Square |
$202.00 |
$180.00 |
$224.00 |
|
|
Large Square |
$184.00 |
$80.00 |
$285.00 |
|
|
Large Round |
$155.00 |
$65.00 |
$234.00 |
|
Grade 2 (103 to 124 RFV/RFQ) |
Small Square |
No Reported Sales |
||
|
|
Large Square |
$147.00 |
$115.00 |
$190.00 |
|
|
Large Round |
$129.00 |
$55.00 |
$190.00 |
|
Grade 3 (87 to 102 RFV/RFQ) |
Small Square |
No Reported Sales |
||
|
|
Large Square |
$110.00 |
$90.00 |
$120.00 |
|
|
Large Round |
$110.00 |
$50.00 |
$150.00 |
Straw prices are for oat, barley, or wheat straw. Straw prices are steady. Small square bales averaged $4.80 a bale (range of $3.60 to $7.00). Large square bale straw averaged $47.00 per bale (a range of $20.00 to $60.00). Large round bale straw averaged $60.00 per bale (range of $25.00 – $76.00).
In Nebraska, all classes of hay sold steady this week. Demand was good for the available forage. Some hay is moving into state from out of state where there are drought conditions. In Iowa, no report.
In South Dakota, prices for all hay types is firm. Good demand for all types and quantities of hay. Drought conditions result in limited third cutting.
In Missouri, hay movement has slowed, demand is moderate, and hay prices remain steady. Some farmers have pulled hay equipment out to get one last cut before combines roll.
In Southwest Minnesota, no report. In Kansas, prices for hay have been steady. Demand is very good. Rains have reduced some drought concerns.
In Wisconsin, prices for dairy quality hay are steady to strong. Lower quality hay is discounted. Good supply at many local markets, but it may not be quality tested.
The next Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the Upper Midwest will be posted by Tuesday, September 27, 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.
