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 by or before Tuesday. Prices quoted in this report are for “as fed” alfalfa hay.
Demand and Sales Comments
Dairy quality hay is in demand and overall prices are steady with slight downward pressure. Lower quality hay is losing some ground with a wide range of prices. Central Wisconsin has a surplus of hay available, contact a trucker if looking for hay as many will haul to drought areas. 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 | $228.00 | $190.00 | $320.00 |
| Large Square | $214.00 | $150.00 | $285.00 | |
| Large Round | $182.00 | $150.00 | $220.00 | |
| Grade 1 (125 to 150 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | $169.00 | $130.00 | $224.00 |
| Large Square | $167.00 | $120.00 | $210.00 | |
| Large Round | $145.00 | $75.00 | $175.00 | |
| Grade 2 (103 to 124 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | No Reported Sales | ||
| Large Square | $126.00 | $95.00 | $170.00 | |
| Large Round | $128.00 | $80.00 | $170.00 | |
| Grade 3 (87 to 102 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | No Reported Sales | ||
| Large Square | $104.00 | $65.00 | $190.00 | |
| Large Round | $80.00 | $40.00 | $150.00 | |
Straw prices
Straw prices are for oat, barley, or wheat straw. Straw prices are steady. Small square bales averaged $3.96 a bale (range of $2.00 to $6.00). Large square bale straw averaged $40.00 per bale (a range of $20.00 to $67.00). Large round bale straw averaged $47.00 per bale (a range of $26.00 – $70.00).
In Nebraska, all forages sold steady with reduced contacts this week. Fall harvest may be cause of reduced interest.
In Iowa, supply is good, demand is steady, and prices are steady.
In South Dakota, quality hay sold steady with good demand for all classes of hay. Drought conditions are contributing to need and demand for hay. Cow/calf farmers are weaning early.
In Missouri, prices are steady with moderate supply and light demand. Harvest season may have resulted in low numbers.
In Southwest Minnesota, prices were steady. In Kansas, market prices were steady, demand is fair to good with a slower trade this week.
In Wisconsin, prices are steady for dairy quality hay. There is a large supply of hay in Central Wisconsin. If you are in need of hay contact truckers to move some hay.
Next Hay Market Report
The next Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the Upper Midwest will be posted by Tuesday, October 12, 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.
