From: Agronomy (Steve Barnhart -- Forages Extension Programs)

These are hay prices paid at auction in the recent past weeks. Most price information is obtained from USDA Hay Market News. Personal contacts of local Iowa hay auctions secured price information for these market outlets.
 
The USDA Market News Group uses these hay classification designations in their market price reports. Of all hay sold, 1% or less would be designated in the supreme class. Placement in various classifications is often based on visual assessment.  There is a general relationship between visual characteristics and forage analyses.  If possible, the following Hay test analyses ranges (on dry matter basis) should be used to establish the appropriate quality designation.  When feeding livestock, sample all forage lots and use forage analysis information for balancing livestock rations.
                                                                               
                        Relative                     Acid                   Neutral                 (Alfalfa*)            (Mixed & Grass)
                     Feed Value          Detergent Fiber    Detergent Fiber   Crude Protein      Crude Protein

                         (RFV)                    (ADF)                  (NDF)                     (CP)                         (CP)
                          index                         %                         %                           %                             %               

Supreme            > 185                      < 27                     < 34                       > 22                          **
Premium           70-185                    27-29                   34-36                     20-22                        >13
Good               150-170                   29-32                   36-40                     18-20                        9-13
Fair                 130-150                   32-35                   40-44                     16-18                         5-9
Utility                 < 130                      > 35                     > 44                       < 16                          < 5

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* Alfalfa & alfalfa with up to 10% grass (USDA)
** The 'Supreme' category is not appropriate for grass hays
 
Visual hay quality descriptions used in the USDA Hay Market News. (Note: these visual traits do not necessarily equate to the forage analysis ranges listed in the previous chart.) 
 
Supreme - Very early maturity, pre-bloom, soft, fine stemmed, extra-leafy. Factors indicative of very high nutritive content. Hay is excellent color and free of damage.
 
Premium - (dairy quality) pre bloom or very early bloom legumes, grass vegetative, generally green with no rain damage
 
Good - (dairy and feedlot quality) early to mid-bloom legumes, grass vegetative or very early head, generally no rain
 
Fair - (feedlot or beef quality) mid- to late-bloom legumes, grass headed, coarse/stemmy, may show some rain damage
 
Utility (formerly 'Low') - very late maturity, or very coarse/stemmy, or considerable discoloration or rain damage
 
This report for mid- to late-September 2007
 
Fort Atkinson (NE IA) Wednesdays, 1:00PM            (Kind and Quality of lots not stated)
    1st Cut:  SmSq $60-105/T; LgSq $80/T; LgRd $40-85/T
    2nd Cut: SmSq $70-85/T; LgSq $130/T; LgRd $40-100/T
    3rd Cut: SmSq $50-140/T; LgSq $50-140/T; LgRd $50-105/T
    4th Cut  SmSq $120/T;   LgSq $70-90/T;   LgRd $55-85/T
    Straw: SmSq $105-115/T ; (LgSq $70-95/T; LgRd $90/T Aug)
    Corn Stalks: LgRd $40/T
 
Dyersville (NE IA ) Thursdays 10:30 AM                   (Type of hay not stated)
        Premium: LgSq RFV 169  $190/T; LgRd $90-95/T
        Good: LgSq $87.50-135/T;  LgRd $75-90/T
        Fair: LgSq $62.50-122.50/T; LgRd $60-75/T
        Utility: SmSq $1.25/bale; (LgSq $70-80/T Aug); LgRd $50-60/T
    Mixed Leg/Gr:
        Good: SmSq $2.00/b $102.50/T; LgSq $122.50/T; LgRd $82.50-90/T
    Grass:

        Good SmSq $2.50/b; LgRd $60-65/T
    Prairie Hay: Good  LgRd $115/T
    CRP: LgRd $45-52/50/T
    Oat:  (Fair LgRd $70-75/T Aug)
    Straw: LgSq $26-36//bale; LgRd $16/bale
 
Riceville (NE IA) 1st  & 3rd Fri Sales
    Alfalfa: (SmSq $3.00-3.25/bale; LgSq $85-110/T  Aug)
    Grass:  SmSq $3.50-3.75/bale; LgSq $85-125/T
    Straw: (SmSq $2.00/bale Aug); LgRd $10-15/bale
 
Forest City (NC IA) (Wed eve. sales)
    Alfalfa: SmSq $3.75-4.50/bale; LgSq $35/bale; LgRd $ 35-40/b
    Mixed Legume/Gr: SmSq $3.00-3.75/b
    Grass: SmSq $3.00-3.75/bale; (LgRd $ 35/bale Aug)
    Straw: SmSq$3.00-3.75/bale

Spencer Livestock Sales (NW IA) (2nd & 4th Tuesdays)
    Alfalfa & Mixed: SmSq $3.50-4.50/bale; (LgRd $97.50-102.50/T  Aug)
    Grass: SmSq $3.50- 4.00/bale; LgRd $85-95/T
    Oat Hay: ( SmSq $2.50/bale Aug)
    Oat Hay Grinding quality: LgRd $70-75/T
    Cornstalks: SmSq $2.75-3.00/T

Rock Valley (NW IA) (Monday & Thursdays 1:00PM)
    Alfalfa 
        Supreme:  (LgSq $152.50/T  Aug)
        Premium: SmSq $110-135/T; LgSq $102.50-127.50/T; LgRd $102.50-140/T
        Good: LgSq $90-95/T; LgRd $85-102.50/T
        Fair: LgSq $70/T; ( LgRd $57.50-77.50/T Aug)
        Utility: LgRd $52.50/T
    Mixed Hay
        Premium: SmSq $135/T; LgSq $110/T; LgRd $105/T
        Good: LgSq $85/T; LgRd $87.50/T
        Fair: ( LgRd $70/T Aug)
    Grass Hay
        Premium: SmSq $130-145/T; LgSq $155/T; LgRd $107.50-125/T
        Good: SmSq $87.50-97.50/T; LgSq $85-105/T; LgRd $75-95/T
        Fair: LgSq $70/T; LgRd $67.50-77.50/T
        Straw: SmSq $2.45-2.70/b; LgSq $22/b; LgRd ($23/b Aug), $35-75/T
    Cornstalks: ( LgRd $16/b Aug)
 
Maurice (NW IA) (Thurs 12:30P)
    Alfalfa: 
        Premium: LgSq $115/T; LgRd $105-120/T
        Good: LgRd $80-100/T
        Fair: (LgSq $75-77.50/T Aug)
    Mixed Legume/Gr: Premium SmSq $125/T; LgSq $110/T
    Grass:
        Premium: SmSq $155/T; LgSq $102.50/T; LgRd $122.50/T
        Good:  SmSq $90/T; LgRd $95-100/T
    Straw: SmSq $2.75/bale; LgSq $28/bale;  LgRd $75/T
 
Denison (WC IA) (Sat 11:00A)
    Alfalfa/Mixed Leg/Gr: SmSq $3.00-5.50/b; LgRd $80-85/bale
    Grass: SmSq $2.50-3.50/bale;  LgSq $80-85/bale
    Straw: (SmSq $3.00-3.50/bale Aug)

Stuart (WC IA) Noon Saturdays
    Alfalfa: SmSq $3.30-3.90/bale
    Mixed Leg/Gr: LgRd $61-70/b
    Grass: SmSq $2.40-3.80/bale
 
Perry (Central Iowa) (Sat Noon)
    Alfalfa: SmSq $2.50-5.65/bale; LgRd $76/bale
    Grass: SmSq $3.50-4.20/bale; LgRd $48/bale
    Straw: (SmSq $2.85-3.00/bale; LgRd $50-55/bale Aug)
 
Private Broker Sales -- Average of prices from South Central Iowa (Indianola & Adair); and North Central Iowa, (Hampton)
    Alfalfa & Mixed Grass/Legume
        Supreme: SmSq $140-165/T; LgSq $140-165/T
        Premium/Good: SmSq $125-150/T; LgSq $125-150/T; LgRd $100-125/T
    Grass: Premium SmSq $90-100/T; LgSq $ 90-100/T

Walcott (EC IA) 2nd Sat Dec-Mar; Noon                   -- Sales Resume in the December --
 
Keosauqua (SE IA) Sat 11:30A
    Alfalfa: SmSq $2.50-4.50/ale;
    Grass : SmSq $1.75-2.50/bale
    CRP (SmSq $2.00-2.50/bale Aug)
    Straw: SmSq $1.75-2.25/bale
 
Kalona (SE IA) 1st Thurs, Yr-round 11:30AM (& 3rd Thurs Oct-winter)        No sales in September!
    Alfalfa & Mixed Legume/Gr: (SmSq $2.40-4.80/b; LgSq $120-157.50/T; LgRd$ 132/T Aug)
    Grass: SmSq $2.40-2.50/bale; LgRd $47.50-70/bale Aug)
    Straw: (SmSq $1.50-3.00/bale Aug)
       
Creston (SW IA) 10:30AM Friday
    Alfalfa  : (SmSq $3.00/bale Aug); LgRd $80/bale
    Mixed: LgRd $44/bale
    Grass: SmSq $3.90/b; LgRd $33-50/bale
    CRP: LgRd $24/bale
    Oat Hay: LgRd $25/bale
 
Shenandoah (SW IA) Monday Sale                            No Sales in September !
    Alfalfa & Alf/Grass Mixed:   (SmSq $3.25-4.75/bale Aug)

"Missouri Market" (Mid / Late- September 2007 USDA Market Price Report)
    Alfalfa:

        Supreme (RFV >185): SmSq $150-180/T
        Premium: (RFV 170-180): $140-175/T
        Good/Fair:  (RFV 130-170) SmSq $90-160/T; LgSq $90-160/T; LgRd $80-140/T
    Mixed Leg/Gr:

        Good: SmSq $3.00-6.50/bale LgRd $40-75/bale
    Grass:
        Good/Prem:   LgSq $80-130/T
        Good:  SmSq $70-120/T
    Timothy SmSq $3.00-4.50/bale
    Mixed grass:

        Good SmSq $70-120/T
        Fair: LgRd $30-60/bale
    Prairie hay: SmSq $80-125/T; LgRd $50-75/T
    Bluestem:

        Good/Fair LgRd $40/bale
    Bermudagrass

        Good: LgRd $50-65/bale, $70-80/T
    Wheat Hay:  $50-70/T
    Straw: SmSq $1.75-3.50/bale


"Northern & Central Illinois” ( September2007USDA Market Report)
    Alfalfa   
        Premium: SmSq $145-180/T: LgSq $145-170/T: LgRd $100-120/T
        Good: SmSq $120-160/T; LgSq $120-160/T: LgRd $90-120/T
        Fair: SmSq $100-130/T; LgSq $100-120/T; LgRd $70-90//T
        Utility: SmSq $80/T;  LgSq $75-120/T;  LgRd $50-80/T
    Mixed Leg/Grass   
        Premium: SmSq $140-180/T; LgSq  $130-160/T
        Good: SmSq $120-150/T; LgSq $110-145/T;  LgRd $80-100/T
        Fair: SmSq $100-120T;  LgSq $100-120/T; LgRd $70-90/T
        Utility: SmSq $60-80/T; LgSq $60-80/T;  LgRd $50-60/T
    Grass:     
        Premium: SmSq $120-160/T; LgSq $100-140/T;  LgRd $80-100/T
        Good : SmSq $100-140/T; LgSq $100-120/T;  LgRd $80-90/T
        Fair: SmSq $80-120/T; LgSq $80-100/T;  LgRd $60-75/T
        Utility;  SmSq $60-80/T; LgSq $60-80/T
    Straw: SmSq $1.50-2.50/bale, $70-80/T;  LgSq $45-70/T
 
Wisconsin 'Market'
Tested Auction January 07 Lomira WI (1st Friday Jan-April)                                    Sales begin again in the Autumn
Tested Auction January 07 Waldo WI  (2nd Thursday Dec-April)                             Sales begin again in the Autumn
 
"Minnesota Market" – SW MN (Mid- to late September 2007 USDA Market Report)
    Alfalfa
        Premium: SmSq $102.50-117.50/T; LgSq $100-102.50/T; LgRd $100-117.50/T
        Good: SmSq $82.50-92.50/T; LgSq $82.50/T; LgRd $82.50-100/T
        Fair: SmSq $67.50-75/T; LgRd $72.50/T
    Mixed Leg/Gr
        Premium: SmSq $112.50-137.50/T; LgRd $102.50/T
        Good:  SmSq $87.50/T; LgRd $95-100/T
        Fair: (LgRd $50-72.50/T  Aug)
        Utility: LgRd $52.50/T
    Grass 
        Premium: SmSq $110-120/T: (LgRd $117.50//T Aug)
        Good: SmSq $85-92.50/T; LgRd $77.50-97.50/T
        Fair:  SmSq $65-75/T; (LgSq $72.50/T Aug); LgRd $62.50-72.50/T
        Utility: LgRd $40-55/T
    Straw: SmSq $2.00-2.50/bale; (LgSq $25/bale Aug); LgRd $24/bale

Houston County MN Tested Hay Auction January  07 (2nd Fri, Dec-March)         -- Sales resume in December --
 
"South Dakota Market" (Mid- to late September 2007 USDA Market Report)
    Alfalfa
        Supreme:  LgSq $150/T
        Premium: SmSq $135/T; (LgSq $125-145/T Aug); LgRd $115-125/T
        Good: LgSq $100-130/T; LgRd $90-115/T
        Grinding Hay; LgRd $75-85/T
    Grass:

        Premium: LgSq $135/T
        Good: (LgSq $85/T Aug); LgRd $80-100/T
    Straw: LgSq $50-60/T
 
"Nebraska Market" (Mid- to late September 2007 USDA Report)

    Alfalfa 
        Premium: (170-185 RFV) SmSq $125-145/T; (LgSq $145/T Aug)
        Grinding Hay - ground & Delivered' LgRd $115-120/T
 
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), responded to drought-induced hay and pasture deficit conditions by its
establishing a www website for producers to list information concerning the need for hay or the availability of hay. The WWW link to this site is listed below.  

         NEW WWW page format!
Using the USDA Hay Net page is not as user-friendly as the earlier version. If you want to see the listings 'for sale',  In the center-right 'box' on  the page, select the line 'Access eHayNet Service'.  That will take you to the 2nd page where you must choose either: NEED (hay ads) or HAVE (hay ads). Then a 'state'  (the state where the hay is listed,). The 'Select' button will then take you to the listings for that state.  Contacts and a limited description of hay available or needed can be found. As with other 'hay list'-type www sites, price and
details about sales transactions must be completed between buyer and seller.  Note: Not all lots listed for a state are located in that state, approximately half are from other states and Canada.

New www  page URL!
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/hayNet?area=online&subject=landing&topic=han&setflag=welcome

 
I checked this site on September 27, 2007 and found the following # of listings:
    State                 Listings    
    Iowa                      10
    Missouri                 18
    Illinois                     16
    Wisconsin               74
    Minnesota               9
    South Dakota          6
    Nebraska                9
 
IOWA HAY & STRAW DIRECTORY
The Marketing Division of the Iowa Dept. of Agriculture and Land Stewardship publishes a Hay & Straw Directory each Autumn. It includes names & contact information for hay sellers, hay brokers, auctions, commercial grinders, hay market associations, etc. They are taking new listings anytime and post them on the WWW Hay and Straw Directory site. Clients are encouraged to use the WWW site. A few printed booklets are available, (each October) but are not 'updated' as is the WWW site version.

Phone 1-800-383-5079 or (515) 281-5993 for information, or their WWW site: 
http://www.agriculture.state.ia.us/hay&straw.asp

South Dakota State University Extension Service -- "Feed Finder" / Hay List This www site provides opportunity to 'post messages' about hay for sale, 'hay wanted', 'pasture for rent' etc. Use this www address: http://www.abs.sdstate.edu:8888/webx?14@17.BYudacV9aYD.1@.ee6b981

Following a season of widespread winter-kill, followed by a summer of dry weather, forage production and quality were lower than normal.  A forage hay-list was established in the summer and will continue into the winter months. Listings are by county.  The list can be found at the following www site: http://farmertofarmer.uwex.edu/
 
UPPER MIDWEST HAYLIST 
"Electronic Market Service of Buyers and Sellers"

The Upper Midwest Haylist allows sellers to list lots of hay for 30-60 days, free of charge; & for buyers to access it for hay availability. Sellers can include: name, address, Phone/FAX/e-mail, type of hay (>95%alfalfa, Alf/Gr, Clover, >95% Grass, etc), type of bale, which cutting ex. 2000 2nd, tons/bales available, quality ex. RFD or CP, asking price per ton.     http://www.haylist.umn.edu/index.asp
 
On September 27, 2007 the following was listed.
    State                 Listings    
    Iowa                        -
    Missouri                  -
    Illinois                      2
    Wisconsin               12
    Minnesota              19
    South Dakota          2
    Nebraska                -
 
INTERNET HAY EXCHANGE                               http://www.hayexchange.com/hay.htm
Buyers and sellers can place and find specifics about type of hay, location, quantity, price, quality, delivery options, etc. on this commercial internet site. On September 27, listings were:

    State                 Listings    
    Iowa                      26
    Missouri                 54
    Illinois                     26
    Wisconsin               47
    Minnesota              31
    South Dakota         11
    Nebraska               34
 
A NEW www-based Hay Listing Service
Wisconsin Farmer-to-Farmer

List or search for hay, straw etc. from Wisconsin.  WWW link...  http://farmertofarmer.uwex.edu/

Other WWW - based Hay listing links Bid-4-Hay

http://www.bid4hay.com/index.php?a=28&b=142&redirect_check=4

Operating in Oklahoma.  It is an online hay classifieds and auction listing service. It allows listing and searching for hay.  The interactive 'search' engine asks for your Zip Code and the Distance range that you would like to search in. On July 31, 2007 there was 1 listing for 300 miles distance from Ames Iowa.

If you need to look to a farther distance, Check the Manitoba Canada www Hay directory and Hay directory for horse hay buyers:

http://www.mbforagecouncil.mb.ca/CustomBlox/Files/Live/Blox/11/

Industry_Hay_Directory_5_pages_Oct17_06.pdf
http://www.mbforagecouncil.mb.ca/CustomBlox/Files/Live/
Blox/10/Horse_Hay_Directory_12_pgs_logos_Oct172006.pdf