These are hay prices paid at auction in the recent past weeks. Much of the price information is obtained from USDA Hay Market News. Personal contacts of local Iowa hay auctions secured price information for these market outlets. Auctions were chosen to reflect prices across Iowa. Other nearby auctions may exist. No endorsement of the listed auctions is intended.
The USDA Market News group uses the following hay classification designations in their market price reports. Of all hay sold, 1% or less would be designated in the supreme class. 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 Detergent Detergent Crude Crude
Value Fiber Fiber Protein 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 2008
Fort Atkinson (NE IA) Wednesdays, 1:00PM
(Kind and Quality of lots not stated)
1st Cut: SmSq $140/T; LgSq $100-155/T; LgRd $55-130/T
2nd Cut: SmSq $100-210/T; LgSq $120-170/T; LgRd $70-130/T
3rd Cut: SmSq $115-205/T; LgSq $100-195/T; LgRd $00-135/T
4th Cut SmSq $195/T; LgSq $100-175/T
Oat Hay LgRd $50-125/T
CRP Hay LgSq $105/T; LgRd 55-105/T
Straw: SmSq $120-125/T; (LgSq $80-90/T Aug) LgRd $60-75/T
Cornstalks (LgRd $60/T Aug)
Dyersville (NE IA ) Thursdays 10:30 AM
Alfalfa:
Supreme LgSq $210-245/T; LgRd $237.50/T
Premium: LgSq $150-225/T
Good: (SmSq $1.80-4.00/bale Aug); LgSq $112.50-195/T; LgRd $80-160/T
Fair: LgSq $100-155/T; LgRd $60-100/T
Utility: LgSq $75-120T; LgRd $35-70/T
Mixed Legume/Gr
Good LgSq $160-180/T; LgRd $160/T
Grass: Good SmSq $92.50/T, $2.50/bale; (LgRd $65-87/50/T Aug)
Oat Hay: LgRd $ 92.50/T
CRP: Good/Fair LgSq $72.50/T; LgRd $35-72.50/T
Prairie Hay: LgSq $80-90/T
Straw: LgSq $31-42//bale
Riceville (NE IA) 1st & 3rd Fri Sales
Alfalfa: SmSq $3.75-4.25/b; LgSq $185-210/T
Mixed Alf/Gr: SmSq $3.00-3.50/b; LgRd $125-140/T
Grass: LgRd $85-110/T
Straw: LgSq $100-125/T
Edgewood (NE IA) (Tues. 11AM)
Alfalfa: SmSq $140-175/T; LgSq $70-165/T; LgRd $70-150/T
Grass: LgSq $125/T; LgRd $90/T
CRP LgSq $70-95/T
Oat Hay: LgSq 40/b
Straw: ( LgRd $75-100/T Aug)
Forest City (NC IA) (Wed eve. sales)
Alfalfa: SmSq $3.75-4.50/b; LgRd $40/b
Mixed Legume/Gr: SmSq $3.75-4.50/b; ( LgSq $ 30-47.50/T Aug)
Grass: SmSq $3.00-3.75/bale; (LgRd $30-47.50/bale Aug)
Oat Hay: SmSq $2.35-3.25/b
Straw: SmSq $3.00/bale
Spencer Livestock Sales (NW IA) (2nd & 4th Tuesdays)
Alfalfa& Mixed: SmSq $3.80-4.20/bale; LgRd $115-120/T
Grass: SmSq $2.60-.3.60/bale; LgRd $70-90/T
Straw: SmSq $3.00/b
Cornstalks: LgRd $50-60/T
Rock Valley (NW IA) (Monday & Thursdays 1:00PM)
Alfalfa
Supreme: LgRd $150/T
Premium: SmSq $140/T; LgSq $120-140/T; LgRd $115-127.50/T
Good: SmSq $110/T; LgSq $95-112.50/T; LgRd $95-112.50/T
Fair: LgRd $85/T
Utility: LgRd $60/T
Mixed Hay
Premium: SmSq $155/T; LgRd $120/T
Good: SmSq $77.50/T; LgSq $105/T; LgRd $87.50-90/T
Grass Hay
Premium: SmSq $112.50-165/T; LgSq $110/T; LgRd $110-125/T
Good: SmSq $80-105/T; LgSq $80-100/T; LgRd $80-105/T
Fair: (LgSq $70/T Aug); LgRd $70-82.50/T
Straw: SmSq $2.85/b; (LgSq ($75-85/T Aug); LgRd $70-80/T
Corn Stalks LgRd 5560/T
Maurice (NW IA) (Thurs 12:30P)
Alfalfa:
Supreme: LgRd $155/T
Premium: LgSq $127.50-130/T; LgRd $115-127.50/T
Good: LgSq $95-110/T ; LgRd $92.50-110/T
Fair: (LgRd $70-92.50/T Aug)
Mixed Legume/Grass:
Premium: (LgSq $110/T Aug); LgRd $115/T
Grass:
Premium: LgSq $140/T
Good: SmSq $100-105/T; LgRd $95-105/T
Fair: LgSq $65/T; LgRd $70-72.50/T
Straw: LgRd $72.50/T
Denison (WC IA) (Sat 11:00A)
Alfalfa&Mixed: SmSq $4.00-5.75/b; LgSq $35-55/b; ( LgRd $60-72/bale Aug)
Grass: SmSq $1.00-4.50/bale
Oat Hay: SmSq $2.00-3.00/bale
Straw: (SmSq $ 2.00-2.50/bale Aug)
Stuart (WC IA) Noon Saturdays
Alfalfa: SmSq $3.40-4.60/bale; (LgRd $74/b Aug)
Mixed Leg/Gr: SmSq $3.40-4.60/bale; (LgRd $68/bale Aug)
Grass: SmSq $2.60-4.80/bale
Oat Hay: LgRd $43-46/bale
Straw: SmSq $2.45-2.60/bale
Perry (Central Iowa) (Sat Noon)
Alfalfa&Mixed: SmSq $4.50-6.50/bale; LgRd $60-75/bale
Grass: SmSq $2.50-4.00/bale; LgRd $55-60/ale
Straw: SmSq $2.00/bale
Private Broker Sales -- Ave. of prices from
South Central Iowa (Indianola & Adair); and North Central Iowa, (Hampton)
Alfalfa: Supreme SmSq $190-230/T; LgSq $190-230/T
Premium LgRd $125-150/T
Good: SmSq $140-160/T LgSq $140-160/T: LgRd $80-100/T
Walcott (EC IA) 2nd Sat Dec-Mar; Noon
Sales resume in the Fall
Keosauqua (SE IA) Sat 11:30A
Alfalfa: SmSq $1.75-5.25/bale; LgRd $30-40/bale
Grass : SmSq $2.00-3.50/bale
Oat Hay: SmSq $2.00-2.50/b
Kalona (SE IA) 1st Thurs, Yr-round 11:30AM (& 3rd Thurs Oct-winter)
Alfalfa" (SmSq $2.10-3.00/bale Aug); LgSq $30-40/b ($120-130/T; LgRd $40-55/bale Aug)
Mixed Leg/Gr: SmSq $2.20-3.10/b; LgRd $50/bale
Grass: LgSq $ 28-31/bale; (LgRd $35-37.50/b Aug)
CRP: (SmSq $2.55/bale Aug)
Straw: SmSq $3.00/bale
Creston (SW IA) 10:30AM Friday
Alfalfa (LgRd $65/bale Aug)
Mixed Leg/Gr: SmSq $3.00-3.75/b; LgRd $58- 61.50/b
Grass: (SmSq $4.70/bale ; LgRd $36-42/bale Aug)
CRP (LgRd $50/bale Aug)
Oat Hay: SmSq $2.50/b
Shenandoah (SW IA) Monday Sale
Alfalfa & Alf/Grass Mixed: SmSq $4.25/bale
Straw: (SmSq $2.75/bale Aug)
"Missouri Market" (Mid / Late- September 2008 USDA Market Price Report)
Alfalfa Supreme (RFV >185): SmSq $170-215/T
Prem (RFV 170-180): $150-175/T
Good SmSq $100-160/T; LgSq $100-160/T
Good/Fair: (RFV 130-170) SmSq $90-150/T; LgSq $90-150/T; LgRd $90-150/T
Mixed Leg/Gr: Good SmSq $3.50-6.50/bale LgRd $40-80/bale
Grass :
Good/Prem LgSq $90-150/T
Good SmSq $60-120/T
Timothy SmSq $3.50-5.00/bale
Mixed grass: Fair LgRd $30-50/b
Prairie hay: SmSq $80-125/T; LgRd $40-75/T
Bluestem Good/Fair LgRd $40/bale
Bermudagrass Good LgRd $50-65/bale, $70-100/T
Wheat Hay: $50-70/T
Straw: SmSq $2.50-4.00/bale
"Northern & Central Illinois (September 2008 USDA Market Report)
Alfalfa
Premium: SmSq $160-220/T: LgSq $185-215/T: LgRd $130-150/T
Good: SmSq $160-210/T; LgSq $150-195/T: LgRd $100-130/T
Fair: SmSq $120-140/T; LgSq $120-150/T; LgRd $80-100//T
Utility: SmSq $80-100/T; LgSq $100-120/T; LgRd $70-80/T
Mixed Leg/Grass
Premium: SmSq $160-190/T; LgSq $160-180/T
Good: SmSq $140-160/T; LgSq $130-160/T; LgRd $100-120/T
Fair: SmSq $120-140T; LgSq $110-140/T; LgRd $80-120/T
Utility: SmSq $80-100/T; LgSq $80-100/T; LgRd $60-100/T
Grass:
Premium: SmSq $140-180/T; LgSq $140-160/T; LgRd $100-130/T
Good : SmSq $120-140/T; LgSq $120-150/T; LgRd $80-100/T
Fair: SmSq $100-120/T; LgSq $100-120/T; LgRd $60-100/T
Utility; SmSq $80-100/T; LgSq $80-110/T: LgRd $50-75/T
Straw: SmSq $2.00-2.50/b, $100-120/T; LgSq $70-90/T
Wisconsin 'Market'
Waldo WI & Fon du Lac Co WI
Sales resume in the fall
"Minnesota Market"-SW MN (Mid- to late September 2008 USDA Market Report)
Alfalfa
Supreme: ( LgRd $147.50-150/T Aug)
Premium: LgSq $112.50-145/T; LgRd $110-140/T
Good: SmSq $97.50/T; LgSq $100-107.50/T; LgRd $87.50-107.50/T
Fair: LgSq $65-80/T; LgRd $62.50/T
Mixed Leg/Gr
Premium: (SmSq $132.50/T; LgSq $102.50/T Aug); LgRd $115-120/T
Good: LgRd $82.50-102.50/T
Fair: SmSq $ 60/T; LgRd $60-75/T
Utility: (LgRd $47.50-62.50/T Aug)
Grass
Premium: (SmSq $137.50/T Aug); LgRd $110-112.50/T
Good: SmSq $72.50-100/T; LgRd $82.50-92.50/T
Fair: SmSq $62.50/T; LgRd $57.50-77.50/T
Utility: LgRd $40-52.50/T
Straw: SmSq $2.00-2.60/bale; (LgSq $23-25/b Aug); LgRd $25-39/b
Houston County MN Tested Hay Auction 14 March 2008 (2nd Fri, Dec-March)
Sales resume in the fall
"South Dakota Market" (Mid- to Late-September 2008 USDA Market Report)
Alfalfa
RFV >185 LgSq $193/T
RFV >170-185 LgSq $165-190T; LgRd $175/T
RFV 150-160 LgSq $115-130/T LgRd $95-115/T
Grinding Hay; LgSq $85-95/T; LgRd $85-95/T
Grass:
Premium: LgSq $100-120/T
Good: LgSq $90-100/T; LgRd $85-90/T
Fair: (LgSq $75/T Aug)
Straw: LgSq $70/T(delivered); LgRd $60-70/T
Alcester, SD (SE SD) (USDA Report)
Note! Sales resume at this location in Nov 2008
"Nebraska Market" (Mid- to late September 2008 USDA Report)
Alfalfa
Premium: LgSq $180-200/T
Grass: Prem/Good: SmSq $115/T; LgRd $85/T
'Grinding Hay - ground & delivered' $125-130/T
Straw: LgSq $60-75/T
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Internet-based Hay Source possibilities:
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), responded to drought-induced hay and pasture deficit conditions by its establishing a www website - Hay Net - for producers to list information concerning the need for hay or the availability of hay. The WWW link to this site is listed below.
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
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/hayNet?area=online&subject=landing&topic=han&setflag=welcome
I checked this site on 25 September 2008 and found the following
# of listings:
State Listings
Iowa 3
Missouri 31
Illinois 3
Wisconsin 8
Minnesota 4
South Dakota 6
Nebraska 14
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 may be available, but may not be as 'up-to-date' 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/Horticulture_and_FarmersMarkets/hayStrwDirectory.asp
See Information on the...
Iowa Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage & Mulch Program
being managed by the Iowa Crop Improvement Association.
Rules; fees; current listings
http://www.agron.iastate.edu/icia/Forage_Mulch.htm
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 25 September 2008 the following was listed.
State Listings
Iowa 1
Missouri -
Illinois 2
Wisconsin 3
Minnesota 11
South Dakota 1
Nebraska -
WWW 'Hay Lists' from other surrounding states....
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://sdces.sdstate.edu:8080/FeedFinder/?14@778.2gy9a9EQbao.0@
Wisconsin Extension provides a forage hay-list that it has established Listings are by county. The list can be found at the following www site:
http://farmertofarmer.uwex.edu/
Missouri Hay Market www site.
http://agebb.missouri.edu/haylst/index.htm
Nebraska Alfalfa Marketing Assn www site. Browse through the "Inventory" tab. http://www.nebraska-alfalfa.com/
Nebraska Dept. of Agric Hay and Forage 'Hotline' www site
http://www.agr.state.ne.us/hayhot/hayhotline.htm
Colorado A PDF version of the Colorado Hay Directory can be found at the link on the ‘Markets’ www page Colorado Department of Agriculture
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=Agriculture-Main/CDAGLayout&cid=1167928159956&p=1167928159956&pagename=CDAGWrapper
Commercial www sites
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 25 September 2008 listings were:
State Listings
Iowa 48
Missouri 89
Illinois 72
Wisconsin 56
Minnesota 42
South Dakota 26
Nebraska 21
Hay Finder
http://www.hayfinder.com/ This site allows you to enter a postal zip code and a search radius in miles to search for hay or straw. On 25 September, 2008 there were 32 listings within 200 miles of Ames Iowa.
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. 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 25 September , 2008 there were 11 listings for hay within 300 miles of Ames Iowa.
Agri Hay Exchange
http://www.agrihayexchange.com/hay/haylistings.aspx?ltID=2
Operating out of Pennsylvania. It is an online classified listing. It allowsfor free searching for hay etc. but requires registration on the site. There is a subscription fee for hay wanted and for sale listings on the site, and to advertise.
The 'Hay Barn"
http://www.haybarn.com/reports/showads.asp?category=Hay
Hay listings are grouped by state. Sellers list type, description, sometimes price, and telephone number.
The Haymarket
http://www.case-agworld.com/cAw.HM.html The 'main page' has a lot of information. About 1/4 of the way down the page are some 'www links' to hay-related listings by 'region of the country. This leads to various formats of hay listings.
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If you need to look to a farther distance, Check the Manitoba Canada www Hay & Forage Council site for Hay sellers:
http://www.mbforagecouncil.mb.ca/foragehaymarketing/provincialhaymarketersandprocessors/default.aspx
Provided by:
Stephen K. Barnhart
Professor of Agronomy - Forages Extension
2104 Agronomy Hall Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-1010
Phone (Office) (515) 294-1923
FAX (Office) (515) 294-9985
email address sbarnhar@iastate.edu
10/8/2008