By Richard Halopka
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
Hay market is steady to strong with drought areas having highest demand and prices for hay. Wisconsin has a good supply of forage, with lower prices for lower quality of hay. 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 | $328.00 | $240.00 | $416.00 |
| Large Square | $268.00 | $150.00 | $425.00 |
| Large Round | $253.00 | $100.00 | $375.00 |
Grade 1 (125 to 150 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | $231.00 | $180.00 | $260.00 |
| Large Square | $211.00 | $110.00 | $325.00 |
| Large Round | $180.00 | $90.00 | $290.00 |
Grade 2 (103 to 124 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | No Reported Sales |
| Large Square | $157.00 | $90.00 | $200.00 |
| Large Round | $134.00 | $85.00 | $210.00 |
Grade 3 (87 to 102 RFV/RFQ) | Small Square | No Reported Sales |
| Large Square | $118.00 | $95.00 | $140.00 |
| Large Round | $124.00 | $65.00 | $175.00 |
Straw prices are for oat, barley, or wheat straw. Straw prices are steady. Small square bales averaged $5.15 a bale (range of $3.00 to $7.00). Large square bale straw averaged $53.00 per bale (a range of $34.00 to $75.00). Large round bale straw averaged $55.00 per bale (range of $35.00 – $72.00).
In Nebraska, prices remain steady on a thin market, with steady activity.
In South Dakota, all classes of hay have a good demand with limited stocks, strong prices, with weather requiring increased hay feeding.
In Missouri, hay supply is light; demand is moderate, with steady prices.
In Kansas, demand is strong. Prices are steady with a lower number of trades.
In Wisconsin, prices for dairy quality hay are steady. Overall Wisconsin has a good supply of forage. Dairy hay prices are good, but lower quality may be discounted.
The next Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the Upper Midwest will be posted by Tuesday, February 14, 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.
Source : wisc.edu